The British Royal Navy has named the newly-built Astute-class nuclear-powered submarine HMS Agamemnon.

Doing so, the Royal Navy continues the ancient Greek tradition in honor of the King of Mycenae and a hero of Greek mythology, as the advanced submarine is the sixth ship in the history of the Royal Navy with the given name.

As announced by the British Royal Navy, the special naming ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials of the British Armed Forces as well as the submarine’s crew.

The submarine in question is the sixth of the 7 Astute-class submarines, with 5 already in service and the last one currently being developed, provided for by the relevant program (UK nuclear submarine programme). Its construction was completed after about 11 years, after the keel installation took place in 2013.

The Royal Navy’s latest Astute Class submarine has been officially named Agamemnon at our Submarines site in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.
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The Astute-class nuclear-powered submarines feature 97 meters in length, 11.3 meters in beam, 10 meters in draught, and up to 7,400 tons in displacement and can develop a maximum speed of 30 knots submerged.

They are the first submarines that do not feature conventional periscopes, but rather use high-end video technology, while the British Royal Navy claims they are the most silent submarines ever built.

This class of submarines can launch from its six torpedo tubes Tomahawk Block IV missiles as well as 38 heavy-type Spearfish 533 mm torpedoes.

Also, the submarines of this class incorporate integrated surveillance and reconnaissance systems, an advanced Combat Management System, and an integrated suite of active and passive systems with Thales’ Sonar 2076 sonar and two CM010 electro-optical masts, the Raytheon Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system and Atlas DESO 25 echosounder.

Also read: US Navy | Data Link Solutions selected to provide BAE Systems’ FireNet tactical systems

The operational range and endurance of the said systems are considered “Unlimited”, while the inherent ability to produce oxygen and potable water should be noted (the food storage capacity ensures 90 days without the need for refueling). In terms of crew requirements, each submarine is manned with 98 personnel.

It is worth noting that the Royal Navy, since 1781 until today, has named six of its ships HMS Agamemnon, while the most famous was the eponymous ship that participated in the historic Battle of Trafalgar (October 21, 1805) and was particularly loved by Admiral Horace Nelson.

The UK government, through the Ministry of Defence, is expected to co-invest with BAE Systems in the expansion of the Barrow shipyard, where submarines are manufactured. In addition to the Astute-class, construction is underway on the first three Dreadnought-class submarines, which are the next generation of nuclear deterrent submarines that will replace the current Vanguard-class.

BAE Systems is also developing the SSN-AUKUS program as part of the trilateral security pact between Australia, the UK, and the US.

Under the AUKUS agreement, Australia and the UK will operate a joint submarine of the future, incorporating technology from all three nations, based on the UK’s Next-Generation design, which BAE Systems is leading.

Also read: AUKUS | BAE Systems undertakes construction of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines