BAE Systems delivered the fifth of its Astute-class attack submarines to the Royal Navy yesterday.
The defence giant said HMS Anson, built in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, has ‘headed out to open sea’. Astute class submarines, described as the ‘most capable’ ever built, are armed with Spearfish heavy torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missiles.
The £1.3billion ship, which weighs 7,400 tonnes and is 97m (318ft) long, can travel around the world submerged, producing its own oxygen and drinking water, all while making less noise than a baby dolphin.
Farewell: HMS Anson leaves Barrow en route to her new base at Clyde
BAE Systems has delivered four other Astute class submarines, all costing more than £1billion and supporting tens of thousands of jobs. It is building two more for the Royal Navy, also in Barrow.
The FTSE 100 firm said the ships play a ‘vital role’ helping to protect the UK’s national security.
Boss Steve Timms said: ‘Delivering the most capable attack submarine ever built for the Royal Navy is a tremendous moment for our company.’
HMS Anson’s inaugural voyage was to Her Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde, the home of the UK’s Submarine Service.
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