Rolls-Royce delivers first key components for Astute submarines

Rolls-Royce has delivered the largest single propulsion plant component for the first boat in the Royal Navy's new Astute class of nuclear powered attack submarines to prime contractor BAE SYSTEMS.

Thursday, 15 March 2001

Even with necessary the stringent quality and performance testing, the time taken to manufacture and deliver the PWR2 reactor pressure vessel (RPV) was significantly reduced. It was delivered one month early to contract.

The RPV houses the reactor core, also made by Rolls-Royce in Derby, and is the heart of the nuclear steam raising plant Rolls-Royce is supplying for Astute and her two sisters, Ambush and Artful, under a fixed price contract with BAE SYSTEMS. Early delivery will enable the shipyard to make progress on key pipework systems.

In common with earlier designs, the propulsion plant has a design life of more than 25 years. However, Astute will be fitted with the new long-life core, which powers the submarine for its full service life and eliminates costly reactor refuelling.

David Price, Managing Director - Naval Marine for Rolls-Royce, said: "The design and manufacture of the nuclear plant is making excellent progress with many other sub-systems in manufacture. Our suppliers are fully committed to the project, which will sustain about 400 jobs in the UK as work increases on the next two submarines.

"Early delivery of the first critical component is indicative of the excellent working arrangements we have forged with BAE SYSTEMS and our suppliers and the dedication of all involved to keeping the project on time and to cost."