Class overview
Name:	Astute class
Builders:	BAE Systems Maritime – Submarines, Barrow-in-Furness
Operators:	Royal Navy
Preceded by:	Trafalgar class
Cost:	Over £1.4 billion per boat (2015 est.)
Built:	2001–present
In commission:	2010–present
Planned:	7
Building:	3
Completed:	4
Active:	3
General characteristics
Type:	Nuclear-powered fleet submarine
Displacement:	Surfaced: 7,000 to 7,400 t (7,300 long tons; 8,200 short tons)[1][2] Submerged: 7,400 to 7,800 t (7,700 long tons; 8,600 short tons)[1][2]
Length:	97 m (318 ft 3 in)[1][2]
Beam:	11.3 m (37 ft 1 in)[1][2]
Draught:	10 m (32 ft 10 in)[1][2]
Propulsion:	Rolls-Royce PWR 2 reactor, MTU 600 kilowatt diesel generators
Speed:	30 kn (56 km/h; 35 mph), submerged[1][2]
Range:	Unlimited[3]
Endurance:	Unlimited in terms of propulsion, air and water, but otherwise typically 90 days, based on the amount of food carried and endurance of the crew[3]
Test depth:	Over 300 m (984 ft 3 in)
Complement:	98 (capacity for 109)[1]
Sensors and processing systems:	Thales Sonar 2076 Atlas DESO 25 echosounder 2 × Thales CM010 optronic masts Raytheon Successor IFF
Armament:	6 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes with stowage for up to 38 weapons:[4] Tomahawk Block IV cruise missiles Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes

The Astute class is the latest class of nuclear-powered fleet submarines (SSNs) in service with the Royal Navy.^[2] The class sets a new standard for the Royal Navy in terms of weapons load, communication facilities and stealth. The boats are being constructed by BAE Systems Maritime – Submarines at Barrow-in-Furness.^[5] Seven boats will be constructed: the first of class, Astute, was launched by Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, in 2007,^[6] commissioned in 2010, and declared fully operational in May 2014.^[2] The Astute class is the replacement for the Trafalgar-class fleet submarines in Royal Navy service.^[2]