News story

Artful enters the water

Britain's third £1 billion Astute Class nuclear submarine, Artful, was lowered into the water at Barrow-in-Furness on Saturday, 17 May.

• From: Ministry of Defence and Defence Equipment and Support
• Published: 19 May 2014

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Artful emerges from the giant build hall

Moving the nuclear-powered attack submarine from the BAE Systems construction hall at Barrow-in-Furness, in Cumbria, and into the water was a huge milestone in the Astute submarine programme.

Weighing in at 7,400 tonnes and at 97 metres long, Artful is the third of 7 highly complex Astute Class submarines being built for the Royal Navy. Two of the submarines, HMS Astute and HMS Ambush, have already been handed over to the Royal Navy, and construction of the remaining 5 continues.

Now in the water, Artful will begin the next phase of her test and commissioning process ahead of sea trials next year.

Artful on the shiplift [Picture: Copyright © 2014 BAE Systems. All rights reserved]

Stuart Godden, Astute programme director for BAE Systems, said:

The launch of Artful is another significant step forward in the Astute programme. Witnessing a submarine move out of the hall and be readied for launch is truly inspiring and a source of great pride to all those who have played a part in getting Artful to this stage.

Published 19 May 2014