FORCETALLY
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At a glance
Astute-class submarinelarger figure on 2 of 2
Chinese sailless submarinelarger figure on 0 of 2
Measured figures
Length
Single sourceAstute class · Length
Single sourceConfiguration
| Specification | Astute-class submarine | Chinese sailless submarine |
|---|---|---|
| Range | Unlimited[source] | — |
| Name | Astute class[source] | — |
| Builders | BAE Systems Submarines , Barrow-in-Furness[source] | — |
| Operators | Royal Navy[source] | — |
| Preceded by | Trafalgar class[source] | — |
| Succeeded by | SSN-AUKUS (First design contract awarded)[source] |
Counts only measures both sources give with the same scope. A larger figure is not a better system.
Length
Single source150 ft[source]
capacity for 109
Single source98 (capacity for 109)[source]
Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.
| — |
| Cost | Over £ 1.65 billion per boat (2015 est.)[source] | — |
|---|
| Built | 2001–present[source] | — |
|---|
| In commission | 2010–present[source] | — |
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| Planned | — |
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| Building | — |
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| Completed | — |
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| Active | — |
|---|
| Type | Nuclear-powered attack submarine[source] | sailless submarine[source] |
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| Propulsion | 1 × Rolls-Royce PWR 2 nuclear reactor MTU 600 kilowatt diesel generators[source] | — |
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| Endurance | Unlimited in terms of propulsion, air and water, but otherwise typically 90 days, based on the amount of food carried and endurance of the crew[source] | — |
|---|
| Test depth | Over 300 m (980 ft)[source] | — |
|---|
| Sensors & processing systems | Thales Sonar 2076 Atlas DESO 25 echosounder 2 × Thales CM010 optronic masts Raytheon Successor IFF[source] | — |
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| Armament | 6 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes with stowage for up to 38 weapons: Tomahawk Block IV cruise missiles Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes[source] | — |
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| Country of origin | United Kingdom[source] | — |
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| Launched | — | 2018[source] |
|---|
| In service | — | 2019[source] |
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| Launch site | — | Jiangnan Shipyard[source]Launchsite only; not inferred builder |
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| Hull configuration | — | lacks the conning tower commonly found on submarines[source] tiny bump where the conning tower is usually located[source] |
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| Programme role | — | used as a test bed for Chinese submarine technologies[source]Source explicitly speculated role; not independently confirmed operational capability |
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