HMS Ajax (S125)
Encyclopedia
HMS Ajax is a proposed Astute-class
nuclear-powered fleet submarine
of the Royal Navy
and will be the seventh in her class.
The confirmation for the seventh and final Astute-class boat was given in the Strategic Defence and Security Review
of October 2010, although an order has yet to be placed.
s are designed as the most stealthy Royal Navy
submarines in history. Using advanced stealth technology Astute "makes less noise than a baby dolphin, making her as good as undetectable by enemy ships."
Astute class submarine
The Astute-class is the latest class of nuclear-powered fleet submarines in service with the Royal Navy. The class sets a new standard for the Royal Navy in terms of weapons load, communication facilities and stealth. The boats are being constructed by BAE Systems Submarine Solutions at...
nuclear-powered fleet submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
of the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
and will be the seventh in her class.
The confirmation for the seventh and final Astute-class boat was given in the Strategic Defence and Security Review
Strategic Defence and Security Review
The Strategic Defence and Security Review was announced by the newly formed Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government of the United Kingdom in May 2010, and published on 19 October 2010...
of October 2010, although an order has yet to be placed.
Nuclear power
Ajax's nuclear reactor will not need to be refuelled during the boat's 25 year service. Since the submarine can replenish her air supply and purify water underway and while submerged, she will be able to circumnavigate the planet without resurfacing. The submarine's main limitation will be from the three months supply of food carried for the 98 officers and ratings.Stealth
The Astute class SSNSSN
SSN may refer to:*Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh, a primary school in Cork City Ireland*Secure Service Network, a network behind a firewall or IPS containing systems which can be accessed from both the internal and external networks, but cannot reach the internal network*Streaming Sports Network, an...
s are designed as the most stealthy Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
submarines in history. Using advanced stealth technology Astute "makes less noise than a baby dolphin, making her as good as undetectable by enemy ships."
Weapons
Ajax will carry a mix of 38 weapons in six 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes;- BGM-109 TomahawkBGM-109 TomahawkThe Tomahawk is a long-range, all-weather, subsonic cruise missile. Introduced by General Dynamics in the 1970s, it was designed as a medium- to long-range, low-altitude missile that could be launched from a surface platform. It has been improved several times and, by way of corporate divestitures...
Block IV cruise missiles. Range of 1350 nautical miles (2,500.2 km). - Spearfish torpedoSpearfish torpedoThe Spearfish torpedo is the heavy torpedo used by the submarines of the Royal Navy. It can be guided by wire or by autonomous active or passive sonar, and provides both anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface ship warfare capability.It replaces the unreliable Tigerfish torpedo, which was...
es.