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Under the control of its Royal Navy crew, BAE Systems’ fifth Astute-class submarine, Anson, completed its first trim dive in the Devonshire Dock.
The operation saw Anson submerge completely beneath the surface of the water while crew tested on-board systems. This successful exercise proved the safety and stability of the 7,400-tonne, 97 meter-long attack submarine.
“The trim and basin dive is a key step in the commissioning of HMS Anson,” said Commanding Officer of Anson, Commander David ‘Bing’ Crosby. “This period will enable us to set the boat’s internal weight, prove her water-tight integrity, test sensors and put some of our systems through their tests ahead of sailing for the first time.
“All involved should be very proud. The entire enterprise has again come together to achieve this evolution safely and on time, which is clear evidence of our joint approach and demonstrates what we can achieve when we all pull together.”
BAE Systems Submarines Astute Programme Director, John Moorby, added: “The successful trim dive of Anson is a significant milestone in the submarine’s test and commissioning phase. It demonstrates the continued successful collaboration between BAE Systems, the Submarines Enterprise, and our suppliers on delivering this national endeavour for the UK Royal Navy.”
A ‘trim dive’ is done to complete a number of tests. The most important is to help engineers establish the vessel’s centre of gravity and precise weight.
More than 60 crew members were on board as part of the exercise, which saw tonnes of ballast taken aboard to assist in testing the vessel’s stability.
“The successful trim dive of Anson is a significant milestone in the submarine’s test and commissioning phase” said John Moorby, BAE Systems Submarines Astute Programme Director. “It demonstrates the continued successful collaboration between BAE Systems, the Submarines Enterprise, and our suppliers on delivering this national endeavour for the UK Royal Navy.”
Anson was officially named in December 2020 and launched in April 2021. HMS Astute, HMS Artful, HMS Ambush and HMS Audacious are already in service with the Royal Navy. The sixth and seventh Astute submarines, Agamemnon and Agincourt, are at different stages of construction at the Barrow shipyard.
