View source for HMS Astute (S119)

{{other ships|HMS Astute}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2013}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=Royal Navy Submarine HMS Astute Returns to HMNB Clyde MOD 45153733.jpg
|Ship caption=HMS ''Astute'' returning to [[HMNB Clyde]], 2012
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
|Ship country=[[United Kingdom]]
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|UK|naval}}
|Ship name=HMS ''Astute''
|Ship ordered=March 1997
|Ship awarded=
|Ship builder=*[[BAE Systems Submarine Solutions]],
*[[Barrow-in-Furness]]
|Ship laid down=31 January 2001
|Ship launched=8 June 2007
|Ship christened=
|Ship acquired=
|Ship commissioned=27 August 2010<ref name=Commissioning.mod.uk>{{cite web | url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EquipmentAndLogistics/UksMostPowerfulSubmarineJoinsTheNavy.htm | title=UK's most powerful submarine joins the Navy | date=27 August 2010 | publisher=[[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]]}}</ref>
|Ship recommissioned=
|Ship decommissioned=
|Ship in service= May 2014
|Ship out of service=
|Ship renamed=
|Ship reclassified=
|Ship refit=
|Ship captured=
|Ship struck=
|Ship reinstated=
|Ship fate=
|Ship status=Operational<ref name="HMS Astute" />
|Ship homeport=[[HM Naval Base Clyde]]
|Ship identification=[[Pennant number]]: S119
|Ship badge=[[File:Astute Crest.jpg|100px]]
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship class={{sclass-|Astute|submarine|0}} [[fleet submarine]]
|Ship displacement=*Surfaced: 7,000 to {{convert|7,400|t|abbr=on}}<ref name="Steve Bush 2014">{{cite book|last=Bush|first=Steve|title=British Warships and Auxiliaries|year=2014|publisher=Maritime Books|pages=10–11 |isbn=1904459552}}</ref><ref name="AstuteRN">{{cite web|title=Astute-class attack submarines|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/the-equipment/submarines/fleet-submarines/astute-class|website=royalnavy.mod.uk|publisher=Royal Navy|accessdate=27 July 2016}}</ref>
*Submerged: 7,400 to {{convert|7,800|t|abbr=on}}<ref name="Steve Bush 2014"/><ref name="AstuteRN"/>
|Ship tons burthen=
|Ship length={{convert|97|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name="Steve Bush 2014"/><ref name="AstuteRN"/>
|Ship beam={{convert|11.3|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name="Steve Bush 2014"/><ref name="AstuteRN"/>
|Ship height=
|Ship draught={{convert|10|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name="Steve Bush 2014"/><ref name="AstuteRN"/>
|Ship power=
|Ship propulsion=[[Rolls-Royce PWR]] 2 reactor, [[MTU Friedrichshafen|MTU]] 600 kilowatt diesel generators
|Ship speed={{convert|30|kn|abbr=on|lk=in}}, submerged<ref name="Steve Bush 2014"/><ref name="AstuteRN"/>
|Ship range=Unlimited<ref name="BAEAstute2016">{{cite web|title=BAE Systems - Astute class submarines|url=http://www.baesystems.com/en/product/astute-class-submarines-enhanced|website=baesystems.com|publisher=[[BAE Systems]]|accessdate=25 July 2016}}</ref>
|Ship endurance=90 days<ref name="BAEAstute2016"/>
|Ship test depth=Over {{convert|300|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship complement=98 (capacity for 109)<ref name="Steve Bush 2014"/>
|Ship sensors={{Astute class sensors}}
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament={{Astute class weaponry}}
|Ship armour=
|Ship aircraft=
|Ship aircraft facilities=
|Ship notes=
}}
|}

'''HMS ''Astute''''' is an operational [[Nuclear marine propulsion|nuclear-powered]] [[submarine]] in the [[Royal Navy]], the [[lead ship]] of [[Astute-class submarine|her class]]. ''Astute'' is the second submarine of the Royal Navy to be named after the characteristic of shrewdness and discernment—the first was the [[World War II]]-era {{sclass-|Amphion|submarine|0}} {{HMS|Astute|P447|2}}. She was the largest attack submarine in Royal Navy history when [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]].

==Design==
{{further|Astute-class submarine}}

Built as a successor to the {{sclass-|Trafalgar|submarine|4}}, ''Astute'' is 50% larger than the T-boats but has a smaller crew. The 7,400-tonne ''Astute''{{'}}s nuclear reactor will not need to be refuelled during the vessel's 25-year service. Since the submarine can purify water and air, she is able to circumnavigate the planet without resurfacing.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20659823|title= HMS Astute recovers from shaky start| work = BBC News | date = 10 December 2012 | accessdate=2 June 2013}}</ref> The main limit is that the submarine can only carry three months' supply of food for 98 crew.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11173266|title= New submarine in a class of its own | work = BBC News | date = 3 December 2010 | accessdate=2 June 2013}}</ref>

''Astute'' has stowage for 38 weapons and was expected to typically carry both Spearfish heavy torpedoes and [[Tomahawk (missile)|Tomahawk]] Block IV cruise missiles,<ref name=Commissioning.mod.uk /> the latter costing £870,000 each.<ref>{{cite web |title=House of Commons Hansard – Written Answers for Daily Hansard – Written Answers 17 May 2011|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm110517/text/110517w0001.htm |publisher=UK Parliament |date=17 May 2011 |accessdate=6 November 2011}}</ref>

==Construction and launch==
{{Stack|float=left|[[File:Astute2cropped.jpg|thumb|upright|left|''Astute'' on the shiplift outside [[Devonshire Dock Hall]] after launch]]}}
''Astute'' was ordered from [[GEC-Marconi|GEC's]] [[Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd|Marconi Marine]] (now [[BAE Systems Submarine Solutions]]) on 17 March 1997. She was [[laid down]] at BAE's submarine facility in [[Barrow-in-Furness]] on 31 January 2001, 100 years to the day after the [[keel]] was laid down for the Royal Navy's first submarine {{HMS|Holland 1||2}}.<ref name="HMS Astute">{{cite web |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/The-Fleet/Submarines/Fleet-Submarines/Astute-Class/HMS-Astute|title= HMS Astute| publisher = Royal Navy | accessdate=2 June 2013}}</ref> She was the first submarine built in the UK since [[HMS Vengeance (S31)|HMS ''Vengeance'']] (launched in 1998).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/news-and-diary/hrh-visits-hms-astute-barrow-furness|title= HRH visits HMS Astute in Barrow-in-Furness| publisher = Clarence House | accessdate=2 June 2013}}</ref>

''Astute'' was launched on 8 June 2007 by [[Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall|the Duchess of Cornwall]], 43 months behind schedule.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/06/03/nweek103.xml|title=This week| newspaper = The Daily Telegraph | date = 4 June 2007 | accessdate=4 June 2007 | location=London}}</ref> The launch attracted more than 10,000 spectators.<ref name="BAE164/2007">{{cite web|url=http://www.baesystems.com/Newsroom/NewsReleases/autoGen_1075813118.html|title=Royal Launch for First of Class ''Astute'' Submarine (News Release)|publisher = [[BAE Systems]] | date = 8 June 2007 | accessdate=24 July 2007 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070713122430/http://www.baesystems.com/Newsroom/NewsReleases/autoGen_1075813118.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 13 July 2007}}</ref>  Her builders BAE Systems described her as "the largest and most able attack submarine that the Royal Navy has operated, with a performance to rival any in the world".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://production.investis.com/astute/about/need/ | title=The Astute Launch – The Need | publisher=BAE Systems | year=2007 | accessdate=6 November 2011}}</ref>

''Astute'' left Barrow on 15 November 2009<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nwemail.co.uk/home/astute_leaves_barrow_1_636740?referrerPath=news/1.265773|title=''Astute'' leaves Barrow|publisher=North West Evening Mail|date=16 November 2009|accessdate=16 November 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140930000514/http://www.nwemail.co.uk/home/astute_leaves_barrow_1_636740?referrerPath=news%2F1.265773|archive-date=30 September 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> and on 20 November 2009, arrived at her home port of [[HMNB Clyde]] at [[Faslane (bay)|Faslane]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8369269.stm|title= ''Astute'' Submarine Arrives at Faslane on the Clyde| work = BBC News | date = 20 November 2009 | accessdate=20 November 2009}}</ref>

==Sea trials and commission==

On 16 February 2010 ''Astute'' left Faslane for sea trials and dived for the first time on 18 February 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/submarine-service/fleet-submarines-ssn/astute-class/hms-astute/news/astutes-first-dive/*/changeNav/3533/noRedirect/1|title= ''Astute''{{'}}s First Dive| publisher = Royal Navy | accessdate=18 March 2010}}</ref> HMS ''Astute'' was commissioned on 27 August 2010, when she was given her HMS prefix, in a ceremony watched over by her patron the Duchess of Cornwall.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6733777.stm|title=New UK nuclear submarine launched| publisher = BBC | accessdate=3 June 2013|date=8 June 2007}}</ref> She was delivered to the Royal Navy on 18 July 2013 and at that time was reported to be, "nearing the end of her sea trials."<ref name=AgKeel>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/sixth-astute-class-submarine-keel-laid|title=Sixth Astute Class submarine keel laid|publisher=gov.uk|quote=It comes as MOD announces that the first 2 of the 7 ''Astute'' Class submarines, HMS ''Astute'' and HMS ''Ambush'', are nearing completion of their extensive sea trials and have been handed over to the Royal Navy to begin to prepare for operations|date=18 July 2013|accessdate=19 July 2013}}</ref> In reality, the Royal Navy declared ''Astute'' to be fully operational in May 2014, some 13 years after being laid down.<ref name="Royal Navy HMS Astute Page">{{cite web | url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/the-fighting-arms/submarine-service/fleet-submarines/astute-class/hms-astute | title=HMS Astute | publisher=Royal Navy | accessdate=19 May 2014}}</ref>

==Operational history==

===Aground on Skye===
[[File:HMS Astute Anglian Prince Skye.JPG|thumb|left|''Astute'' aground with the emergency tow vessel ''Anglian Prince'']]

On 22 October 2010, the Ministry of Defence confirmed that ''Astute'' had "run into difficulties" off the Isle of [[Skye]] while on trials, after eyewitnesses reported that she had run aground a few miles from the [[Skye Bridge]]. There were no reports of injuries.<ref name="bbc20102210">{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-11605365 |title= Nuclear submarine HMS ''Astute'' runs aground off Skye| work = BBC News | date = 22 October 2010 | accessdate=22 October 2010}}</ref> The captain of the vessel elected to wait for tugboat assistance rather than using the submarine's own power to clear the stern from the obstruction, to minimise damage to the hull's [[anechoic tile]]s.<ref>{{cite news |title=HMS ''Astute'': world's most advanced nuclear submarine runs aground |author=Harding, Thomas |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/defence/8079960/HMS-Astute-worlds-most-advanced-nuclear-submarine-runs-aground.html |newspaper=Daily Telegraph |date=22 October 2010 |accessdate=22 October 2010 |location=London}}</ref> A Royal Navy spokesman said that the vessel had been grounded on silt and was re-floated at high tide.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-11609870 Grounded nuclear sub dragged free]. (22 October 2010) BBC News. Retrieved 22 October 2010</ref> The Maritime and Coastguard Agency-chartered emergency tow vessel ''Anglian Prince'' was dispatched to the scene from [[Stornoway]].<ref name=BBCNews22Oct2010>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-11606046|title=Scrap-threatened tug sent to submarine HMS ''Astute''|work=BBC News|date=22 October 2010|access-date=22 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101025160938/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-11606046|url-status=live|archive-date=25 October 2010}}</ref>

The submarine returned under her own power to Faslane, where the damage was described as minor.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-11619310|title=Grounded nuclear submarine HMS ''Astute'' returns to base|publisher=BBC|date=25 October 2010|accessdate=8 November 2010}}</ref> A service inquiry concluded that the main cause of the grounding was not following navigation procedures combined with the watch officer not appreciating the proximity of danger.<ref name=MOD-SI>{{Cite journal |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/service-inquiry-report-into-the-grounding-of-hms-astute-on-22-october-2010 |title=Service Inquiry Report Into the Grounding of HMS ASTUTE on 22 October 2010 |publisher=Ministry of Defence |date=1 January 2011 |accessdate=16 July 2013}}</ref> On 27 October 2010, the Royal Navy announced that Commander Andy Coles had been relieved of his command of ''Astute''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-11853493|title=Grounded HMS ''Astute'' nuclear sub chief loses command|publisher=BBC|date=27 October 2010|accessdate=27 November 2010}}</ref> Commander Iain Breckenridge previously commanded the submarine {{HMS|Tireless|S88|6}}, and the Navy announced in December 2010 that he would take command.<ref>{{cite news |title=State-of-the-art Astute visits Southampton |author= |url=http://www.navynews.co.uk/news/1143-state-of-the-art-astute-visits-southampton.aspx |newspaper=[[Navy News]] |date=5 April 2011 |accessdate=11 April 2011}}</ref> ''Astute'' had to return to port for repairs on 11 December 2010, on her first day back at sea after the grounding incident, due to a problem with her steam plant.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-11977871|title=Grounded nuclear submarine HMS ''Astute'' 'breaks down'|publisher=BBC|date=11 December 2010|accessdate=12 December 2010}}</ref>

===2011 fatal shooting===
{{Wikinews2|Two shot on nuclear submarine in Southampton, England|British seaman appears in court, charged with murder after shooting on nuclear submarine}}
[[File:HMS Astute-Southampton Docks.JPG|thumb|right|''Astute'' at 38 berth in [[Port of Southampton|Southampton Docks]] on 8 April 2011, the day of the shooting.]]
On 8 April 2011, one naval officer was killed and another injured in a shooting on board ''Astute'' while berthed at Southampton docks. Southampton City Council's leader, chief executive, and mayor were on board at the time. During a changeover of armed guards, 22-year old Able Seaman Ryan Donovan opened fire with an [[SA80]] assault rifle in the submarine's control room, hitting two officers before being overpowered by Southampton Council's leader [[Royston Smith (politician)|Royston Smith]] (a former RAF flight engineer), and chief executive Alistair Neill.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/8963864.Fatal_shooting_on_nuclear_sub_in_Southampton_docks/|title=Fatal shooting on HMS ''Astute'' in Southampton docks|date=8 April 2011|accessdate=8 April 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=HMS ''Astute'' shooting: Nuclear submarine guard kills officer in rifle rampage |author=Thomas Harding, Gordon Rayner & Victoria Ward|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/8439401/HMS-Astute-shooting-Nuclear-submarine-guard-kills-officer-in-rifle-rampage.html |date= 8 April 2011|accessdate=11 April 2011 |location=London |work=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref>

In the 48 hours before going on guard duty, Donovan had drunk 20 pints of cider, lager, and spirits, leaving him well beyond the drink-drive limit when on duty. Heavy drinking before duties was common practice amongst the crew.<ref name=guardian-20130109>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2013/jan/09/binge-drinking-submarine-fatal-shooting |title=Binge drinking on submarine shocks police investigating fatal shooting |newspaper=The Guardian |date=9 January 2013 |accessdate=10 January 2013 |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-21458437|title=BBC News&nbsp;– Submariners punished for drunken misconduct|work=[[BBC Online]]|accessdate=15 February 2013|date=15 February 2013}}</ref> According to Smith:

{{quote|text="We were in the control room when someone entered and there was an exchange of words. He stepped out with another man and two shots were fired and then he entered the control room again and began shooting again…. He had a magazine with 30 rounds in it so I took the view that someone had to stop him. I pushed him against the wall and we wrestled, then I pushed him into another wall which resulted in him going to the ground and I managed to get the weapon from him and threw it aside under a table. I shouted for someone to help as I held him down and my chief executive was the first to come, and he did a remarkable job of restraining him."|sign=Royston Smith|source=BBC interview<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-13022096|title=Council boss 'disarmed gunman' on nuclear submarine|publisher=BBC|date=8 April 2011|accessdate=8 April 2011}}</ref>}}

Lieutenant Commander Ian Molyneux, ''Astute''{{'}}s weapons engineering officer, was killed.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/8439401/HMS-Astute-shooting-Nuclear-submarine-guard-kills-officer-in-rifle-rampage.html|title=HMS ''Astute'' shooting: Nuclear submarine guard kills officer in rifle rampage|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=8 April 2011|accessdate=8 April 2011|location=London|first1=Thomas|last1=Harding|first2=Gordon|last2=Rayner|first3=Victoria|last3=Ward}}</ref> Donovan was arrested by Hampshire Constabulary officers<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-13014640|title=One killed in HMS ''Astute'' nuclear submarine shooting|publisher=BBC|date=8 April 2011|accessdate=8 April 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23939924-officer-is-shot-dead-on-nuclear-submarine.do|title=Officer is shot dead on Royal Navy nuclear submarine|work=Evening Standard|date=8 April 2011|accessdate=8 April 2011}}</ref> and was charged with the murder of Molyneux and the attempted murder of Petty Officer Christopher Brown, Chief Petty Officer David McCoy, and Lieutenant Commander Christopher Hodge.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13029539|title=Nuclear submarine sailor charged with murder|date=10 April 2011|accessdate=10 April 2011|work=BBC News}}</ref> He admitted to the murder of Molyneux and three counts of attempted murder; he was sentenced at Winchester Court on 19 September 2011 to life imprisonment and must serve a minimum of 25 years.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-14971198|title=Sailor who murdered officer on submarine HMS ''Astute'' jailed for life|work=BBC News|date=19 September 2011|accessdate=19 September 2011}}</ref>

On 23 March 2012, Ian Molyneux, Royston Smith, and Alistair Neill were awarded the [[George Medal]] for gallantry.<ref>{{cite news |title=Posthumous George Medal for shot submariner Ian Molyneux |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-17485653 |date=23 March 2012 |accessdate=23 March 2012 |work=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=60095 |supp=y|page=5852|date=23 March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=60096 |supp=y|page=5855|date=23 March 2012}}</ref>  Molyneux's widow received the [[Elizabeth Cross]] in April 2013.<ref name="BBC-22315050">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-22315050|title=Wife of shot submariner Ian Molyneux accepts Elizabeth Cross |date=26 April 2013 |work=[[BBC Online]]|accessdate=12 November 2016}}</ref>

===Weapons trials===
[[File:US Navy 111128-N-NK458-054 ailors aboard the Royal Navy submarine HMS Astute (S119) stand in formation topside as the ship is maneuvered into posit.jpg|right|thumb|upright|''Astute'' manoeuvring into position at [[Naval Station Norfolk]] in Norfolk Virginia, November 2011]]
Starting in late 2011, she began a 5-month stay at the US Navy's [[Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center]] in the Bahamas, in which she fired Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk missiles.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=7969457 | title=Adm. Sir Mark Stanhope Britain's First Sea Lord |newspaper=Defense News | date=17 October 2011 | first1= Vago | last1=Muradian | first2=Christopher P. | last2= Cavas | accessdate=6 November 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://navynews.co.uk/archive/news/item/2951|title=Navy News - Reporting from the Fleet|publisher=|accessdate=30 July 2016}}</ref> ''Astute'' launched two Tomahawks, the first missile on 15 November 2011. They were the Royal Navy's ninth and tenth Tomahawk flight tests.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navynews.co.uk/archive/news/item/2621|title=Navy News - Reporting from the Fleet|publisher=|accessdate=30 July 2016}}</ref>

In February 2012, ''Astute'' rendezvoused with the {{sclass-|Virginia|submarine|1}} {{USS|New Mexico|SSN-779|6}} underwater in the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center for a series of war games. Present were the head of the Royal Navy, [[Mark Stanhope|Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope]] and the head of the United States Navy, [[Jonathan W. Greenert|Admiral Jonathan W. Greenert]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/astute-in-battle-with-us-boat-in-atlantic-1.923883?referrerPath=news/south_lakes |title=North West Evening Mail &#124; News &#124; BAE Systems Barrow built Astute in battle with USS New Mexico |publisher=Nwemail.co.uk |date=10 February 2012 |accessdate=16 February 2013}}</ref> It was reported that ''Astute'' "surpassed expectations" and that the Americans were "taken aback" by ''Astute''{{'}}s capabilities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hms-astute-arrives-home-from-us-sea-trials--2|title=HMS Astute arrives home from US sea trials|work=www.gov.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/News-and-Events/Latest-News/2012/March/02/120302-Astute-Clyde|title=Awesome Astute "Surpassed Every Expectation" on Her Toughest Test Yet|website=royalnavy.mod.uk}}</ref> ''Astute'' had been expected to conduct her first operational deployment in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/News-and-Events/Latest-News/2013/May/13/130513-Astute-trials-draw-to-a-close|title=Astute’s trials draw to a close as new boat prepares for front-line duties|work=mod.uk}}</ref>

===First of class issues===
In November 2012 ''[[The Guardian]]'' reported that there had been a serious leak that caused an emergency surfacing because a cap for a pipe was made of the wrong metal, even though the inventory claimed proper checks had been made, that there were problems with reactor monitoring instruments because the wrong grade of lead was used, and circuit boards had not been correctly fitted. The Ministry of Defence and [[BAE Systems]] confirmed the problems were being worked on. An MoD spokesman said "It is normal for first of class trials to identify areas where modifications are required and these are then incorporated into later vessels of the class."<ref name=guardian-20121115b>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/nov/15/hms-astute-submarine-slow-leaky-rusty |title=Slow, leaky, rusty: Britain's 10bn submarine beset by design flaws |author=Nick Hopkins |newspaper=The Guardian |date=15 November 2012 |accessdate=20 November 2012 |location=London}}</ref>

===Maiden deployment===
''Astute'' departed Faslane on her maiden deployment at the beginning of 2014, spending eight months abroad. Her deployment included an attached [[dry deck shelter]] aft of the sail, possibly for an [[Special Boat Service|SBS]] troop deployment. ''Astute'' returned to Faslane in October 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iiss.org/en/militarybalanceblog/blogsections/2014-3bea/april-7347/hms-astute-153f|title=Joseph Dempsey: HMS Astute – a special deployment?|work=iiss.org}}</ref> Due to [[2020 Iranian attack on U.S. forces in Iraq]], the HMS Astute with 20ft-Tomahawk missiles was deployed and ready to fire into [[Iran]] in the Middle East when full scale combat started.<ref>https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/royal-navy-nuclear-powered-submarine-21216655?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mirror_main&fbclid=IwAR2YV2uHlBpMONezZ1NR00x8Lx0lIj4VaBMuyzDMK7QFdvQ0txzAyZf7OT0</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
{{ external media
| align  = right
| width  = 250px
| video1 = [http://www.navynews.co.uk/assets/upload/files/Preview_Quality_WMV_0004973.wmv HMS ''Astute'' test-firing her first Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles]
}}
*[http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/The-Fleet/Submarines/Fleet-Submarines/Astute-Class/HMS-Astute Royal Navy HMS ''Astute''] (royalnavy.mod.uk)

{{Astute class submarine}}
{{Royal Navy ships}}
{{2010 shipwrecks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Astute (S119)}}
[[Category:Astute-class submarines]]
[[Category:Ships built in Barrow-in-Furness]]
[[Category:2007 ships]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 2010]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 2011]]
[[Category:2010 in Scotland]]
[[Category:Isle of Skye]]
[[Category:History of the Scottish Highlands]]
[[Category:Active submarines of the United Kingdom]]