HMS Ambush (S120)
| Career |  |
|---|---|
| Name: | HMS Ambush |
| Namesake: | Ambush |
| Ordered: | March 1997 |
| Builder: | BAE Systems Submarine Solutions |
| Laid down: | 22 October 2003 |
| Launched: | 6 January 2011[1] |
| Christened: | 16 December 2010[2] |
| Commissioned: | 2012 (planned) |
| Identification: | Pennant number: S120 |
| Motto: | "Hide and Seek"[3] |
| Status: | Fitting out |
| Badge: |  |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Astute-class submarine |
| Displacement: | 7,400 tonnes submerged |
| Length: | 97 m (323 ft) |
| Beam: | 11.3 m (37 ft) |
| Draught: | 10 m (33 ft) |
| Propulsion: |
|
| Speed: | 29+ knots (54 km/h) submerged |
| Range: | Only limited by food and maintenance requirements |
| Complement: | 98 officers and ratings. Max capacity of 109. |
| Sensors and processing systems: |
|
| Armament: |
6 x 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes with stowage for up to 38 weapons; |
HMS Ambush is an Astute-class nuclear fleet submarine of the Royal Navy, the second boat of her class, and is currently fitting out. Ambush is the third vessel, and the second submarine to bear the name in Royal Naval service. She was ordered from GEC's Marconi Marine (now BAE Systems Submarine Solutions) on 17 March 1997. She was laid down at Barrow-in-Furness on 22 October 2003,[5] officially named on 16 December 2010,[6] launched on 6 January 2011,[1] completed her initial dive test on 30 September 2011,[7] and is expected to begin sea trials by 2012.[8]
Contents |
[edit] Design
Ambush's nuclear reactor will not need to be refuelled during the boat's 25 year service. Since the submarine can purify water and air, she will be able to circumnavigate the planet without resurfacing. The main limit is that the submarine will only be able to carry three months' supply of food for 98 officers and ratings.
The Astute class Fleet Submarines are designed as the most stealthy Royal Navy submarines in history. Using advanced stealth technology Astute "makes less noise than a baby dolphin, making her as good as undetectable by enemy ships."[9]
Ambush will carry a mix of 38 weapons in six 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes;
- BGM-109 Tomahawk Block IV cruise missiles. Range of 1,350 nautical miles (2,500 km).[10]
- Spearfish torpedoes.
[edit] Affiliations
Ambush is affiliated to:
- The city of Derby[11]
- The Dolphin ward of Royal Derby Hospital[11]
- The Sea Cadet unit TS Kenya[11]
- Rolls-Royce Marine Division, Derby[11]
[edit] References
- ^ a b "BAE Systems Barrow submarine Ambush’s maiden voyage". NW Evening Mail. 7 January 2011. http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/bae-systems-barrow-submarine-ambush-s-maiden-voyage-1.797245. Retrieved 8 January 2011.
- ^ "Ambush rollout delay". NW Evening Mail. 16 December 2010. http://www.nwemail.co.uk/home/ambush-rollout-delay-1.791099?referrerPath=news/1.503705. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
- ^ Ambush takes shape, Defence News, 11 February 08
- ^ "UK's most powerful submarine joins the Navy". MoD. 27 Aug 2010. http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EquipmentAndLogistics/UksMostPowerfulSubmarineJoinsTheNavy.htm. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
- ^ BAE Systems Investor Brief October 2003
- ^ "Navy names new attack submarine". defencemanagement.com. http://www.defencemanagement.com/news_story.asp?id=15034. Retrieved 2010-12-19.
- ^ "Underwater Tests Mark Ambush Milestone". Northwest Evening Mail. 5 October 2011. http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/underwater-tests-mark-ambush-milestone-1.884679. Retrieved 6 October 2011.
- ^ MoD Second Astute Class submarine officially named
- ^ unknown (2006-02-14). "Britain launches massive submarine that can hear a ship from across the Atlantic". Martinfrost.ws. http://www.martinfrost.ws/htmlfiles/june2007/hunter_killer.html. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
- ^ Alien submarine breaks technical barriers BBC News. (7 May 2007).
- ^ a b c d "HMS Ambush - Affiliations". Royal Navy website (archived 1 October 2010). http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20101001110155/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/submarine-service/future-submarines/ambush/affiliations/. Retrieved 2010-11-22.
[edit] External links
- Royal Navy - Ambush
- Ambush Proudly Named At Ceremony BAE Systems
- Astute Class Navy Matters
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