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Deep Trouble for Astute Submarine
By GORDON TAIT
Published: 11 Aug 2010
A JINXED £1billion Royal Navy submarine had to return to port during sea trials - after its anchor broke down.
The setback is the latest blow to hit nuclear-powered vessel Astute - which was completed four years late and over-budget.
A technical fault prevented the chain, which attaches the anchor to the sub, from uncoiling.
It was being tested off the north coast of Scotland when the latest problem was discovered.
The submarine - said to be more technologically advanced than the space shuttle - was forced to return to its base at Faslane on the River Clyde.
A team of engineers is now investigating.
It's the latest blow for the trouble-hit sub - which was finished four years behind schedule and at double the original budget. An electrical fire broke out on board earlier this year.
Last night, a Navy source said: "For a sub that is so hi-tech, it's the basic things that seem to go wrong. This is very embarrassing for the Navy and for the sub's contractors, BAE defence systems."
The sub won't become HMS Astute until it passes the rigorous trials and is formally handed over to the Royal Navy.
Another source said: "The crew are worried about the problems. They must be fixed without cutting corners."
The 7,400-ton vessel - which can stay under water for 25 years without running out of fuel - carries Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk land missiles.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/scotsol/hom...y-nuclear-submarine-Astute.html#ixzz0wTO6FLie
By GORDON TAIT
Published: 11 Aug 2010
A JINXED £1billion Royal Navy submarine had to return to port during sea trials - after its anchor broke down.
The setback is the latest blow to hit nuclear-powered vessel Astute - which was completed four years late and over-budget.
A technical fault prevented the chain, which attaches the anchor to the sub, from uncoiling.
It was being tested off the north coast of Scotland when the latest problem was discovered.
The submarine - said to be more technologically advanced than the space shuttle - was forced to return to its base at Faslane on the River Clyde.
A team of engineers is now investigating.
It's the latest blow for the trouble-hit sub - which was finished four years behind schedule and at double the original budget. An electrical fire broke out on board earlier this year.
Last night, a Navy source said: "For a sub that is so hi-tech, it's the basic things that seem to go wrong. This is very embarrassing for the Navy and for the sub's contractors, BAE defence systems."
The sub won't become HMS Astute until it passes the rigorous trials and is formally handed over to the Royal Navy.
Another source said: "The crew are worried about the problems. They must be fixed without cutting corners."
The 7,400-ton vessel - which can stay under water for 25 years without running out of fuel - carries Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk land missiles.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/scotsol/hom...y-nuclear-submarine-Astute.html#ixzz0wTO6FLie