FORCETALLY
Loading the evidence…
Preparing your view.
Preparing your view.
At a glance
Astute-class submarinelarger figure on 2 of 2
Shallow Water Combat Submersiblelarger figure on 0 of 2
Measured figures
Length
Single sourceAstute class · Length
Single sourceConfiguration
| Specification | Astute-class submarine | Shallow Water Combat Submersible |
|---|---|---|
| Range | Unlimited[source] | — |
| Name | Astute class[source] | — |
| Builders | BAE Systems Submarines , Barrow-in-Furness[source] | Teledyne Brown Engineering[source] |
| Operators | Royal Navy[source] | United States Navy Royal Navy (planned)[source] |
| Preceded by | Trafalgar class |
Counts only measures both sources give with the same scope. A larger figure is not a better system.
Length
Single source6.8 meters (22 ft)[source]
Astute class · Displacement
Single sourceSubmerged
Single sourceSurfaced
Single sourceSurfaced: 7,000 to 7,400 t (6,900 to 7,300 long tons) Submerged: 7,400 to 7,800 t (7,300 to 7,700 long tons)[source]
7,400 tonnes[source]Astute class
Displacement
Single source4.5 tonnes (5.0 short tons)[source]
Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.
SEAL Delivery Vehicle[source] |
| Succeeded by | SSN-AUKUS (First design contract awarded)[source] | — |
|---|
| Cost | Over £ 1.65 billion per boat (2015 est.)[source] | $383 million (program cost)[source] |
|---|
| Built | 2001–present[source] | — |
|---|
| In commission | 2010–present[source] | — |
|---|
| Planned | — |
|---|
| Building |
|---|
| Completed |
|---|
| Active | — |
|---|
| Type | Nuclear-powered attack submarine[source] | Submersible , diver propulsion vehicle[source] |
|---|
| Propulsion | 1 × Rolls-Royce PWR 2 nuclear reactor MTU 600 kilowatt diesel generators[source] | Lithium-ion batteries powering electric motors[source] |
|---|
| Test depth | Over 300 m (980 ft)[source] | >190 feet (58 m)[source] |
|---|
| Sensors & processing systems | Thales Sonar 2076 Atlas DESO 25 echosounder 2 × Thales CM010 optronic masts Raytheon Successor IFF[source] | Inertial navigation system , high-frequency sonar for obstacle/mine avoidance and navigation, GPS[source] |
|---|
| Armament | 6 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes with stowage for up to 38 weapons: Tomahawk Block IV cruise missiles Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes[source] | SEAL team personal weapons, limpet mines[source] |
|---|
| Country of origin | United Kingdom[source] | United States[source]Inventory Origin column; table 2, row 5, cell 2; revision 1373375989; retrieved 2026-09-30 |
|---|
| On order | — | 7 USN, 3 RN[source] |
|---|