HMS Astute at T-31
 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6625477.stm

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/image...hall203bbc.jpg

Dated yesterday so (in theory) 31 days to go before we launch our first new sub since the last of the Vanguards rolled out. :up:

Don't let us down BAe!

How long ago was that oberon??

She's due to be launched 8th June...so...not long to go now hopefully before we see this sight:

http://navy-matters.beedall.com/imagesbig/astute21.jpg

The last of the Vanguards, HMS Vengeance was launched in 1998, so it's been nine years!

Plus she's the first new British class of sub since 1992 when HMS Vanguard was launched.

It'll be a big day for the RN, first the Type 45, now the Astute...things are starting to come into swing now hopefully.

There were a couple of minutes footage shot around and onboard the boat on the BBC news this morning, it may be repeated on the main news tonight.

Edit: Found a clip on the BBC, click on the link under the picture:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6625477.stm

Nice one Lesrae! My video recorder told me where to go this morning so that's good stuff! :rock:

the 2nd t-45 hms dauntless was launched on the 23rd of jan and construction of the 3rd is well under way.

http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/upload/...icture-008.jpg

theres been little on daring for a while it should be ready to make sail soon shouldnt it?


http://www.investis.com/il/images/bae_gallery/10004.jpg

compared to daring of old

http://www.candoo.com/ncot/norriepage/daring.jpg


now if they would just pull their fingers out and get the 2 carriers sorted il be happy.

According to that artivle we should be getting 7 though I heard rumours of 4.

We'll haev to see what happens but I hope to god we get all the ships we need.

I think the RN want 7, the treasury may think differently.

Just realised I posted the same link as you, my bad. :damn:

I must say i love the type 45s, they've got all the lines a destroyer should in my opinion.

The Astute looks like shes got a mighty blunt bow tho, is that the case or is it just the artists camera angle?? and speaking of bows, can we get some of your RN designers here to fix the collins bow? that thing looks like a pig

At leeast she's quiet now!:roll: Now they have to find some one to crew her! There is talk of putting one sub into mothballs due to lack of qualified crew.:oops:

I guess that's a problem when sub crew can get better paid jobs and more family time in civiy life then what they get in the navy.

hip hip horray!

well if the treasury wanted to cut the number to 4 (originally 12 were planned) there a bit slow as the construction of the 5th is ready to start.

there's rumours of saudi arabia wanted 3 t45's as well, if this were the case then the increased production would/should cut manufacturing costs as the design becomes more established hopefully leading onto more for the RN.

its expected that darings hull and infrastructure will be used for the next family of frigates as well with the samspon radar removed and replaced with a cheaper sea focused unit and the larger aster 30's will be cut to make way for anti ship/sub armants.