To mark the success of contractor sea trials, Lady Anne Soar, Ambush’s sponsor, visited the Royal Navy’s newest attack submarine in her home base in Faslane. The visit was the first time that Lady Soar had seen the boat since the successful departure from Barrow in mid-September 2012.
Lady Soar was shown a presentational video recalling the highlights of the past three months before undertaking a full tour of the completed submarine, meeting new and old members of the Ship’s Company alike.
AB Adam Scott, a Tactical Systems Specialist , said:
“It’s great to have a sponsor who is so interested in how we are doing. It’s an opportunity to show off the boat and brag a little about all we have done.”
Special demonstrations of some of the submarine’s systems were laid on, including Ambush’s ‘optronics’ system that has replaced traditional periscopes on the Astute class submarines.
Lady Soar said:
“The detail on the screen is amazing. It is a clear demonstration of the technology that sets Ambush, and other boats in the Astute class, apart from previous submarines.”
On completion of the tour Lady Soar was hosted for lunch by the Senior Rates Mess before undertaking a tour of the Engine and Manoeuvring Rooms.
“The boat looks remarkable and the Ship’s Company is in excellent spirits.
“I am exceptionally proud to be the sponsor of a Boat that has achieved so much in such a short space of time.”
The planned fleet of seven Astute Class submarines are being built to replace the current fleet of Trafalgar Class submarines and are arguably some of the most advanced submarines in the world today.
The 7,400 tonne Astute Class is quieter than previous submarines, and can operate covertly and remain undetected despite being larger than the Royal Navy’s current Trafalgar Class submarines
Ambush will continue with further sea trials before her formal commissioning, when she will become an HMS, and enter operational service.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, January 23, 2013; Image: Royal Navy