Royal Navy's most powerful hunter-killer sub one step closer to frontline deployment
The Royal Navy's newest and most advanced hunter-killer submarine is moving closer to frontline deployment following intensive tests in the Atlantic.
HMS Anson, the fifth Astute-class vessel, conducted trials off the east coast of the United States and in the Caribbean Sea, rigorously testing her state-of-the-art systems and weaponry.
During trials, Anson spent time in waters off the UK coast and then sailed further north of Scotland to test her weapons systems with successful firings of both Spearfish and Tomahawk test missiles.
More intensive trials were conducted in the Atlantic at the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC) near the Bahamas.
Tests at AUTEC are crucial for her to prove she can operate without detection.
The sea trials also gave the crew the chance to get ashore.
"It was a great opportunity to see a new place and meet new people. I'd never been to the US before," said one member of the crew.
"The opportunity for the majority of the ship's company to spend a few days on Andros was fantastic," another submariner said.
"This afforded us a few days of rest from the sea trials we were conducting and allowed us to spend time on the beach in the sun relaxing and playing volleyball with base personnel."
Astute-class nuclear-powered submarines are the largest and most advanced submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy.
The submarine, which will soon join the operational cycle, can launch long-range Tomahawk missiles and fire lethal Spearfish torpedoes.
HMS Anson will soon join her sister ships, HMS Astute, Ambush, Artful and Audacious around the globe.
Furthermore, the new submarine will have a nuclear reactor which will not need to be refuelled during her 25-year service period.
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