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Britain’s Super Stealthy Sub: Is the Astute-Class a Match for US Subs?

Astute-class. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Astute-class. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

Key Points and Summary: Designed for both stealth and special operations, the Astute-class boasts a “lock-out-trunk” for deploying special forces.

-With a planned fleet of seven, these submarines represent a significant leap forward in the UK’s naval capabilities, but questions remain if they can rival the quieting abilities of the US Navy.

Inside the UK’s Deadliest Sub: Cutting-Edge Tech of the Astute-Class

Armed with Spearfish heavy torpedoes and Block IV Tomahawks, the UK’s Astute-class submarines are regarded as among the world’s best fast-attack, hunter-killer submarines, as they incorporate a wide range of technologies that could easily be compared to US Navy Virginia-class attack submarines. 

The UK ultimately plans to build a fleet of seven Astute-class boats as a replacement for its legacy Trafalgar-class submarines. 

What Makes the Astute-Class Special Submarines 

The Astute-class is armed with what its maker, BAE Systems, says is among the best sonar arrays, the Sonar 2076. The system is an integrated passive/active search and attack sonar suite with a bow, intercept, flank, and towed array, according to a BAE Systems essay as far back as 2002.  

BAE has publicly called the Sonar 2076 the best sonar in the world, and it would seem interesting to see how it compares to the advanced Large Aperture Bow sonar built into Block III Virginia-class submarines

Powerful Weapons Loadout 

The advanced Astute-class British submarines can stow 38 weapons, described as a combination of torpedoes and Tomahawk missiles. 

This is comparable to Block V US Navy Virginia-class submarines built to travel with as many as 40 Tomahawks due to the added Virginia Payload Modules section.

 The UK also plans to arm the Astute class with new “Block V” Tomahawk missiles engineered with improved networking, target identification, and in-flight data connectivity. 

Submarine Sensing & Computing

The most interesting element of comparison between the Astute-class and Virginia-class may reside in the realm of computing, sensing, navigation, and command and control. 

The Astute-class submarines operate with an upgraded command and control technology called the Astute Combat Management System, a suite of sensors and data displays on the submarine’s command consoles. 

The Astute Combat Management System seems to align with the US Navy’s “fly-by-wire” computerized navigation system built into Virginia-class Block III.  

The “fly-by-wire” technology uses computer automation to set the depth and speed of the boat while a human performs command and control. 

An essay in Naval Technology described the Astute class as the first “nuclear submarines to be fully designed using a three-dimensional, computer-aided environment.”

The Astute-Class Is a Stealth Submarine 

Another critical question with the Astute-class submarines relates to the extent of “quieting” technologies and stealth attributes

US Navy Virginia-class boats, for instance, have been upgraded with a series of communications and quieting technologies such as new antennas, coating materials, and propulsion system enhancements. 

Astute-class submarine Audacious

Astute-class submarine Audacious under construction at Barrow in Furness shipyard in Cumbria.
Audacious is the fourth of the seven Astute Class submarines being built for the Royal Navy.
The first two boats, HMS Astute and Ambush, are currently undergoing sea trials. The third boat, Artful, is reaching the final stages of her construction at Barrow shipyard. All three are to be based at Faslane on the Clyde.

These improvements have been built into the entire fleet of Virginia-class attack submarines and are now deployed across the fleet. 

The question with the Astute-class likely relates to whether the boats operate with comparable quieting technologies like Virginia-Class subs. This would determine how much the boats could conduct clandestine surveillance, patrol, or attack missions without being detected by enemy submarines or surface ships. 

Special Operations Subs

Another interesting parallel between the Astute and Virginia-class submarines is that they both support Special Operations missions with a unique “staging” and “launch” area.

Virginia Block III boats are built with a “lock-out-trunk,” a dry area that can fill up with water to release special operations forces while submerged. 

Virginia-Class Submarine

GROTON, Conn. (May 13, 2009) Being escorted by a tug, Virginia-class attack submarine USS Hawaii (SSN 776) makes its way down the Thames River past the historic ship Nautilus as it departs Naval Submarine Base New London for its new homeport at Naval Station Pearl Harbor. Commissioned May 5, 2007, Hawaii is the third Virginia-class attack submarine constructed and the first submarine to be named after the Aloha state. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Peter D. Blair/Released)

The Astute-class submarines operate with a similar configuration designed to support undersea launch of special operations. 

About the Author: Kris Osborn

Kris Osborn is the Military Technology Editor of 19FortyFive and President of Warrior Maven – Center for Military Modernization. Osborn previously served at the Pentagon as a highly qualified expert in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army—Acquisition, Logistics & Technology. Osborn has also worked as an anchor and on-air military specialist at national TV networks. He has appeared as a guest military expert on Fox News, MSNBC, The Military Channel, and The History Channel. He also has a Masters Degree in Comparative Literature from Columbia University.

Written By

Kris Osborn is the Military Affairs Editor of 19 FortyFive and President of Warrior Maven - Center for Military Modernization. Osborn previously served at the Pentagon as a Highly Qualified Expert with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army—Acquisition, Logistics & Technology. Osborn has also worked as an anchor and on-air military specialist at national TV networks. He has appeared as a guest military expert on Fox News, MSNBC, The Military Channel, and The History Channel. He also has a Masters Degree in Comparative Literature from Columbia University.

3 Comments

3 Comments

  1. Karl

    January 26, 2025 at 7:07 pm

    On a Ven diagram, I bet there would be a 95% plus overlap. Any differences are likely qualitative and subtle with slight advantages and/or disadvantages based upon distinctly discrete brit vs US systems.

    Using a ven diagram of either against any other subs likely in the 70 80% qualitative overlap to either. And not in their favor

  2. David Knowles

    January 27, 2025 at 8:43 am

    It likely down the crews and their competency than anything else. I doubt either sub can detect the other without active sonar. Which would most likely trigger automated targeting tracking routines to track that ping to it origin very quickly then it down to who is in the right position to fire torpedoes and get a hit.

  3. Derek Rigby

    January 27, 2025 at 6:14 pm

    You failed to mention the 39,000 anechoic tiles to reduce their sonar signature and make them harder to detect. This being one of the astutes main attributes which makes them as quiet as a baby dolphin. They may well be the best around but 7 isn’t enough for sure

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