If you are a US Navy enthusiast, you are probably used to thinking that the Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine is the best in the world. But there is some quality competition. The British Royal Navy Astute-class gives the Virginia boats a run for their money. The Astute-class subs are fast and stealthy, with the ability to sneak close to shore and fire their land attack missiles. They can also serve as hunter-killers to eliminate enemy submarines and shipping.
Astute-class Submarine. Image: Creative Commons.
Astute-Class: Not the Largest Submarines
As noted by Naval-Technology.com, the Astute-class is designed by BAE Systems Maritime. The boats were not big, and the British were interested in keeping them from being discovered and operating them at high speeds. The Astute is the “10th largest submarine class in the world.” They displace 7,400 tons on the surface and nearly 7,800 tons when submerged. The Astutes are 318 feet long with a 34-foot-long beam. This makes them smaller than the Virginia-class.
Nuclear Reactor Has Much Upside
The Astute-class has a respectable Rolls-Royce pressurized water reactor. The great thing about this reactor is that it doesn’t require a mid-life refuel and needs only one refit during its service life at the 25-year mark.
Crews typically serve around 90 days on the sub, but as a nuclear-powered boat, it has unlimited range and endurance.
The powerplant enables the Astute-class to move along at 30 knots, while the Virginia-class can only manage 25 knots.
The Astutes Emphasize Dominant Fire Power
The weapons load-out on the Astute boats is impressive. There are six torpedo tubes for launching 38 Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes. Spearfish torpedoes have an 18-mile range and are deadly accurate with a powerful warhead.
Don’t forget the Tomahawk Block IV and the updated Block V land-attack cruise missiles with a range of about 1,000 miles. This is the main armament of the Astute-class, and they can make the enemy pay the price from long-range. The Tomahawks are good choices when the British do not want to deploy troops or military hardware to a warzone.
Astute-Class: These Boats Are Highly Survivable
The Astutes have an enviable suite of electronic warfare capabilities and sensors. “The Royal Navy’s Astute class electronic warfare (EW) array incorporates electronic support measures (ESM), sonars, and decoys. The ESM system is Thales Sensors Outfit UAP(4), which has two multi-function antennae mounted on non-hull penetrating optronic masts,” according to Naval-Technology.com.
The Astute-class replaced the aging Trafalgar-class boats, and the British are glad they made the switch. Since the Astute-class runs smaller, there is only a crew of 98, while the Trafalgar-class has 130 officers and enlisted personnel.
British Maritime Special Operators Can Attack at Will
A dry deck shelter on the submarine can infiltrate and exfiltrate special operations forces. The British version of the US Navy SEALs, the Special Boat Service, is an elite, highly trained, and lethal force.
They do not get as much media attention as the SEALs, but they are just as deadly. Combined with the option to use Tomahawks, these operators are a force multiplier for the Royal Navy.
Astute-class boats are also known for their advanced periscope, the optronic. This has electro-optical sensors that can gather high-quality video for better situational awareness. The optronic periscope does not have to stay above water long, reducing the risk of discovery by prying eyes.
How does the Astute-class stay so quiet? It is covered by 39,000 anechoic tiles. The Naval Institute writes that “the chemical composition of the tiles is classified, but they are made from an elastic material containing tiny air pockets and are optimized to reduce the typical sonar frequencies of homing torpedoes.” Some observers say the Astute-class is as quiet as a baby dolphin.
There is also a passive/active sonar that makes the Astutes highly survivable and able to discover and distinguish types of enemy shipping. This sonar can track targets up to 60 miles away. Hull and towed array sonars complete the system.
There are seven Astute-class boats in total, five of which are conducting missions, and two are under construction. The Royal Navy can’t have enough of these subs, which are some of the best in the world.
What does the collection of Astute-class submarines mean for the British military? Strategically, they can place the navy into a class that can conduct strikes anywhere in the world. The British could then project power, carry the flag to distant regions, and challenge the Russians in the North Atlantic or the Black Sea.
Unfortunately, there is not enough operationally to conduct total shock and awe as the British military is no longer an expeditionary force. But they give admirals different options to deploy in hot spots. Tactically, they are faster than the Virginia-class and may be stealthier, too. They outclass Russian and Chinese fast attack boats. The Aft powerplant and noise reduction are better than the adversaries’.
The Astute-class subs are a point of pride for the British. They are strong strategically, operationally, and tactically. I wouldn’t say they are better than the Virginia-class overall, but they finish in a close second. The British Navy should build as many as possible and invest more money into the program if the government can.
Astute-Class Submarine Royal Navy
No other country besides the United States can come close to the Royal Navy’s undersea warfare capabilities. These subs are one point of pride that the United Kingdom should celebrate.
About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood
Brent M. Eastwood, PhD is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for US Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former US Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.
Richard T Hess JR
May 12, 2025 at 11:55 am
Sounds wonderful. If they’re so great maybe they should be using British land attack missiles rather than American Tomahawk Cruise Missles.
In addition
The Astute-class is equipped with the Eddystone CESM system, developed by DML (part of Babcock) in collaboration with Boeing subsidiary Argon ST, a US company.
During the Astute program’s development, the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) enlisted the expertise of General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB), a leading US submarine builder, through a US Navy contract to address technical challenges, particularly with 3D CAD software and modular construction techniques.GDEB provided 13 submarine designers to the project and over 100 US-based designers to create detailed design drawings. A GDEB employee also served as the Astute Project Director at Barrow-in-Furness.
The Astute class only uses Torpedo tubes to launch their missiles while Virginia boats have a vertical launch capability giving them a much bigger load out.
As per usual when it comes to technology Britian cant get along without its former colonies!