What is the Astute-class submarine?
The Astute class submarine is the latest submarine in the British Navy, as of 2007. This huge submarine has an appearance similar to a whale, and is nuclear-powered, not requiring a single refueling over its 25 year lifetime. It is not unique in this regard, though. The Astute class submarine is built by BAE Systems at the city of Barrow-in-Furness, on the central west coast of Britain. The submarines will cost about $2.4 billion US Dollars (USD) each. The Astute class consists of attack submarines, in contrast to ballistic missile submarines such as the Vanguard class. In United States Navy parlance, the Astute is a SSN, meaning ship submersible (SS), nuclear-powered (N) submarine. SSNs are known as “attack” or “hunter/killer” subs, and their primary purpose is to find and destroy enemy subs and surface vessels to protect the surfact fleet. The Astute class was developed to replace the aging Swiftsure class of attack submarines. A couple of the more recent Trafalgar class also need re
