The Astute class is the Royal Navy's current nuclear-powered attack submarine family, built by BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness. These boats use optronic masts instead of traditional periscopes, carry Tomahawk land-attack missiles and Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes, and are designed for covert strike, anti-submarine warfare, and intelligence work.
Astute-class submarines are attack submarines armed with Tomahawk land-attack missiles and Spearfish torpedoes. HMS Astute deployed as the submarine element of UK Carrier Strike Group 21; the strike group conducted combat missions against Daesh under Operation Shader. The reviewed public sources did not show an Astute-class combat missile or torpedo launch.
Timeline
The first Astute-class boat completed its first test firing mission by launching Tomahawk missiles during trials in the Gulf of Mexico.
Sources: Navy sub fires first Tomahawk missile
Royal Navy reporting said HMS Astute returned to HMNB Clyde after deploying with the Carrier Strike Group, where it provided undersea defense.
Sources: Carrier Strike Group submarine returns home
The Royal Navy marked 15 years of continuous service as HMS Astute entered Devonport for a mid-life revalidation period.
Sources: Royal Navy hunter-killer submarine completes first historic phase of front-line career
