In its giant construction shed in Northern England - the largest of its kind in Europe - the Royal Navy largest and most powerful submarines ever are being built - the Astute Class. They are probably the most technologically advanced submarines in the world, and the first of them - HMS Astute - is to be launched on 8th June.....
Alien submarine breaks technical barriers
By Brian Milligan
Business reporter, BBC News, Barrow, Cumbria, northern England
The Royals Navy's Astute is seen as the most advanced submarine yet, probably in the world. The three submarines currently planned are HMS Astute (launched on 8th June), HMS Ambush and HMS Artful. But there could eventually be 4 more to be built after those.
"It's a mean looking beast. I think it looks like the alien," remarks Chris Nelson of BAE Systems, as we walk round the front of the Royal Navy's new Astute submarine in Barrow.
Looming above us is a construction shed 12 storeys high.
Within it are three nuclear-powered submarines at different stages of construction.
And as a huge, red neon sign reminds the workforce, the first one is now just 32 days away from launch.
But to judge by the scaffolding surrounding it, it's hard to believe it's going to be ready on time.
"I'm determined it will be," says operations director Nigel Ward. "However it's a nuclear submarine, and lots of things can go wrong."
Secrets intact
Under all its covers, Astute is a technological phenomenon. Its nuclear reactor means it'll never need refuelling in the whole of its 25-year life.
Submarines have been built in Barrow, in Northern England, for 120 years
Since it makes its own air and water, it can circumnavigate the globe without needing to surface.
And its weapons systems are so accurate that were it positioned in the English Channel, its cruise missiles could pinpoint targets as far away as North Africa.
Indeed, down in the weapons room it looks like a Tomahawk cruise missile is already waiting to be loaded into one of the torpedo tubes.
"It's only a dummy," says the man who's keeping a close eye on us. His job is to stop us photographing anything that might give away some of Astute's secret capabilities.
Reduced requirements
Astute on the shiplift (a giant, caterpillar-like vehicle) in Barrow, Cumbria [Picture courtesy of BAE Systems]
It may be one of the most sophisticated submarines ever built, but the project has been beset with problems. The three submarines are £900m ($1.8bn) over budget and four years behind the original schedule.
But a new boss at Barrow, Murray Easton, introduced big changes when he arrived a few years back.
A team of psychologists was brought into the yard to improve management effectiveness, and to create better ways of communication. Even now a psychologist is present at every board meeting.
Another big innovation, learnt from the America submarine-builder Electric Boat, was to build sections of the submarine vertically rather than horizontally.
Equipment can be lowered in with the help of gravity, cutting the need for manpower dramatically.
Future missiles
It all leads to a prouder, more committed workforce.
The building project is enormous
"We needed help over Easter," says Nigel Ward, "and over 300 men volunteered to work, even though the weather forecast was good."
Workers are also enthusiastic about what they have built.
"It's a fantastic product," says Andy Ogden as he stands near the conning tower of Astute. "And something the Navy will be extremely proud of when they get their hands on it in a year's time."
Three-and-a-half thousand other workers have a vested interest in such customer satisfaction.
Because if all goes according to plan, they'll be rewarded with contracts to build four more Astute submarines, and eventually the submarines that will carry the next generation of Britain's nuclear missiles.
ASTUTE FACTS
Cost: £3.5bn for three subs (but there is a chance there could actually be 7 to be built eventually)
Weight: 7,800 tons
Length: 97m
Time to build: 6 years 4 months
Power: pressurized water reactor, fuelled for life
Crew: 98
The Barrow yard built its first submarine in 1886, for the Ottoman Empire. It later built the Royal Navy’s first submarine - the Holland class - which entered service in 1902.
-------------
HMS Dreadnought, the UK’s first nuclear powered submarine, was built at Barrow by Vickers, using American parts and a British hull. She entered service in 1963.
--------------
The Vanguard class of nuclear submarine was built to carry the Trident nuclear missile system and entered service in the 1990s. They were the first built in Barrow’s vast Devonshire dock hall.
----------------
The Royal Navy’s new Astute class of nuclear attack submarine are built using modular construction methods. BAE is building three subs in Barrow but hopes to get an order for four more.
------------------
BAE has sped up production with the use of vertical outfitting. The submarine modules are turned on their side, allowing cranes to drop them into the hull.
-------------------
HMS Astute will be launched on 8 June 2007. This is an artist's image of how the boat should look when it enters service in 2009. HMS Ambush and HMS Artful are due to enter service in 2010 and 2012
news.bbc.co.uk
Alien submarine breaks technical barriers
By Brian Milligan
Business reporter, BBC News, Barrow, Cumbria, northern England
The Royals Navy's Astute is seen as the most advanced submarine yet, probably in the world. The three submarines currently planned are HMS Astute (launched on 8th June), HMS Ambush and HMS Artful. But there could eventually be 4 more to be built after those.
"It's a mean looking beast. I think it looks like the alien," remarks Chris Nelson of BAE Systems, as we walk round the front of the Royal Navy's new Astute submarine in Barrow.
Looming above us is a construction shed 12 storeys high.
Within it are three nuclear-powered submarines at different stages of construction.
And as a huge, red neon sign reminds the workforce, the first one is now just 32 days away from launch.
But to judge by the scaffolding surrounding it, it's hard to believe it's going to be ready on time.
"I'm determined it will be," says operations director Nigel Ward. "However it's a nuclear submarine, and lots of things can go wrong."
Secrets intact
Under all its covers, Astute is a technological phenomenon. Its nuclear reactor means it'll never need refuelling in the whole of its 25-year life.
Submarines have been built in Barrow, in Northern England, for 120 years
Since it makes its own air and water, it can circumnavigate the globe without needing to surface.
And its weapons systems are so accurate that were it positioned in the English Channel, its cruise missiles could pinpoint targets as far away as North Africa.
Indeed, down in the weapons room it looks like a Tomahawk cruise missile is already waiting to be loaded into one of the torpedo tubes.
"It's only a dummy," says the man who's keeping a close eye on us. His job is to stop us photographing anything that might give away some of Astute's secret capabilities.
Reduced requirements
Astute on the shiplift (a giant, caterpillar-like vehicle) in Barrow, Cumbria [Picture courtesy of BAE Systems]
It may be one of the most sophisticated submarines ever built, but the project has been beset with problems. The three submarines are £900m ($1.8bn) over budget and four years behind the original schedule.
But a new boss at Barrow, Murray Easton, introduced big changes when he arrived a few years back.
A team of psychologists was brought into the yard to improve management effectiveness, and to create better ways of communication. Even now a psychologist is present at every board meeting.
Another big innovation, learnt from the America submarine-builder Electric Boat, was to build sections of the submarine vertically rather than horizontally.
Equipment can be lowered in with the help of gravity, cutting the need for manpower dramatically.
Future missiles
It all leads to a prouder, more committed workforce.
The building project is enormous
"We needed help over Easter," says Nigel Ward, "and over 300 men volunteered to work, even though the weather forecast was good."
Workers are also enthusiastic about what they have built.
"It's a fantastic product," says Andy Ogden as he stands near the conning tower of Astute. "And something the Navy will be extremely proud of when they get their hands on it in a year's time."
Three-and-a-half thousand other workers have a vested interest in such customer satisfaction.
Because if all goes according to plan, they'll be rewarded with contracts to build four more Astute submarines, and eventually the submarines that will carry the next generation of Britain's nuclear missiles.
ASTUTE FACTS
Cost: £3.5bn for three subs (but there is a chance there could actually be 7 to be built eventually)
Weight: 7,800 tons
Length: 97m
Time to build: 6 years 4 months
Power: pressurized water reactor, fuelled for life
Crew: 98
The Barrow yard built its first submarine in 1886, for the Ottoman Empire. It later built the Royal Navy’s first submarine - the Holland class - which entered service in 1902.
-------------
HMS Dreadnought, the UK’s first nuclear powered submarine, was built at Barrow by Vickers, using American parts and a British hull. She entered service in 1963.
--------------
The Vanguard class of nuclear submarine was built to carry the Trident nuclear missile system and entered service in the 1990s. They were the first built in Barrow’s vast Devonshire dock hall.
----------------
The Royal Navy’s new Astute class of nuclear attack submarine are built using modular construction methods. BAE is building three subs in Barrow but hopes to get an order for four more.
------------------
BAE has sped up production with the use of vertical outfitting. The submarine modules are turned on their side, allowing cranes to drop them into the hull.
-------------------
HMS Astute will be launched on 8 June 2007. This is an artist's image of how the boat should look when it enters service in 2009. HMS Ambush and HMS Artful are due to enter service in 2010 and 2012
news.bbc.co.uk