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| New UK nuclear submarine launched | New UK nuclear submarine launched |
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| The Royal Navy's latest nuclear submarine has been launched by the Duchess of Cornwall, almost four years behind schedule. | The Royal Navy's latest nuclear submarine has been launched by the Duchess of Cornwall, almost four years behind schedule. |
| HMS Astute is the first of four new vessels that will be the UK's largest and most powerful attack submarines. | HMS Astute is the first of four new vessels that will be the UK's largest and most powerful attack submarines. |
| Defence minister Lord Drayson called it "a truly remarkable vessel, and her importance cannot be underestimated". | Defence minister Lord Drayson called it "a truly remarkable vessel, and her importance cannot be underestimated". |
| The £3.5bn programme was dogged by delays and budget overruns, with the government putting in an extra £450m. | The £3.5bn programme was dogged by delays and budget overruns, with the government putting in an extra £450m. |
| 'Immensely powerful' | 'Immensely powerful' |
| Astute was launched at the BAE Systems shipyard in Barrow, Cumbria, which employs about 3,000 people. | Astute was launched at the BAE Systems shipyard in Barrow, Cumbria, which employs about 3,000 people. |
Detailed image of the Astute submarine - (Bae Systems) [2.01MB] | ASTUTE FACTS AND FIGURES Size: 97m (318ft) long, 11.2m (36.7ft) wide, 7,400 metric tonnes (8,157 tons) - 25% heavier and 30% longer than Trafalgar class Firepower: Six Spearfish torpedo tubes, 38 Tomahawk cruise missilesTop speed underwater: Undisclosed, but Royal Navy says above 20 knotsMaximum diving depth Undisclosed, but Royal Navy says more than 150m (492ft)Number of crew: 98 compared with 115 on Trafalgar, with better facilitiesLatest technology: Two masts carrying thermal imaging and low-light cameras replace periscope; images can be captured and transmitted to other fleets; advanced sonarFuel: Complex pressurised water reactor powers submarine for full service lifeOther vessels in class: Ambush, Artful, Audacious Detailed image of the Astute submarine - (Bae Systems) [2.01MB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here |
| Dockyard workers, schoolchildren, naval personnel, VIP guests and navy top brass were among the 10,000 visitors who cheered as Camilla launched Astute with a bottle of beer brewed by her crew. | Dockyard workers, schoolchildren, naval personnel, VIP guests and navy top brass were among the 10,000 visitors who cheered as Camilla launched Astute with a bottle of beer brewed by her crew. |
| "As an Admiral's wife myself, I am delighted to be in Barrow-in-Furness today for the naming and launching of Astute," she said. | "As an Admiral's wife myself, I am delighted to be in Barrow-in-Furness today for the naming and launching of Astute," she said. |
| BAE Systems says the project is more technologically complex than the space shuttle. | BAE Systems says the project is more technologically complex than the space shuttle. |
| Each of the four new Astute Class vessels will weigh 7,800 metric tons - equivalent to 1,000 double-decker buses - and be almost 100 metres (328ft) long. | Each of the four new Astute Class vessels will weigh 7,800 metric tons - equivalent to 1,000 double-decker buses - and be almost 100 metres (328ft) long. |
| The First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, described them as "immensely powerful". | The First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, described them as "immensely powerful". |
| He said: "They will form a key part of our future programme, giving the Royal Navy the versatility and technical excellence needed to operate successfully across the globe in decades to come." | He said: "They will form a key part of our future programme, giving the Royal Navy the versatility and technical excellence needed to operate successfully across the globe in decades to come." |
| The government signed the Astute contract in 1997 but the first hull sections were not laid until 2001. | The government signed the Astute contract in 1997 but the first hull sections were not laid until 2001. |
| Astute will become HMS Astute when it enters service in 2009. | Astute will become HMS Astute when it enters service in 2009. |
| She will create her own oxygen and fresh water from seawater and will be armed with Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missiles capable of hitting a target 2,000km inland. | She will create her own oxygen and fresh water from seawater and will be armed with Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missiles capable of hitting a target 2,000km inland. |
| Along with the three other Astute Class vessels - Ambush, Artful and Audacious - she will be commissioned for 25 years. | Along with the three other Astute Class vessels - Ambush, Artful and Audacious - she will be commissioned for 25 years. |
| It is the first time that the Duchess of Cornwall has launched a vessel. | It is the first time that the Duchess of Cornwall has launched a vessel. |
| She was presented with a retriever puppy, as a retriever is on Astute's crest. The puppy will be donated as a guide dog for the blind. | She was presented with a retriever puppy, as a retriever is on Astute's crest. The puppy will be donated as a guide dog for the blind. |