The UK Royal Navy’s submarine HMS Agamemnon has successfully concluded its inaugural dive at BAE Systems’ submarine shipyard located in Barrow-in-Furness, England. In a significant milestone for the vessel, the submarine submerged to a depth of 15 meters (49 feet), demonstrating critical capabilities through various system tests, including ballast tank operations and escape procedures.
This initial dive was executed in collaboration with the Submarine Delivery Agency and BAE Systems, marking a comprehensive assessment of the submarine’s stability as well as the determination of its center of gravity. The testing process utilized a combination of traditional pendulum-based measurement techniques alongside modern technological approaches.
During the trials, a team of 30 crew members and engineers took a hands-on approach by strategically placing 16 tonnes of lead weights in different locations throughout the submarine. This exercise simulated various loading conditions and provided valuable insights into the vessel’s balance and its response to weight shifts, thereby confirming the submarine’s stability under operational scenarios.
HMS Agamemnon represents the sixth addition to the Royal Navy’s Astute-class submarines, a series known for its advanced technological features and capabilities. The Astute-class comprises a total of seven nuclear-powered submarines, of which five are currently active in service, while HMS Achilles and HMS Agamemnon are still under construction.
Notably, these submarines have eschewed traditional optical periscopes in favor of high-resolution video systems, enhancing their operational effectiveness while maintaining a low acoustic profile. The vessels are designed to operate fully submerged and have the capacity to produce their own oxygen and drinking water, ensuring extended autonomy.
Equipped with formidable armaments, the Astute-class submarines can launch Tomahawk Land Attack Cruise Missiles, capable of striking land targets hundreds of miles inland. The latest variant, Tomahawk IV, boasts a range exceeding 1,000 miles (1,609 kilometers), with the added ability to be retargeted mid-flight and provide real-time battlefield imagery back to the submarine.
Furthermore, these submarines carry Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes, effective at engaging targets up to 14 miles (23 kilometers) away, or up to 30 miles (48 kilometers) at lower speeds. Featuring a powerful 660-pound (300-kilogram) explosive charge, these torpedoes can be triggered either on impact or via an acoustic proximity fuse, underscoring the advanced strike capabilities of the Astute-class fleet.
