HMS Anson (S123)

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Anson.

HMS Anson is the fifth Astute-class nuclear-powered fleet submarine of the Royal Navy. She is the eighth vessel of the Royal Navy to bear the name, after Admiral George Anson.

HMS Anson in Barrow-in-Furness (August 2022)
History
United Kingdom
Name	HMS Anson
Namesake	George Anson, 1st Baron Anson
Ordered	March 2010
Builder	BAE Systems Submarine Solutions
Cost	£1.420B (budget)[1]
Laid down	13 October 2011
Launched	20 April 2021
Sponsored by	Julie Weale
Christened	11 December 2020
Commissioned	31 August 2022[2]
In service	TBD[3]
Identification	Pennant number: S123
Motto	Nil desperandum (Never despair)
Honours & awards	Four inherited battle honours
Status	In active service
Badge
General characteristics
Class & type	Astute-class fleet submarine
Displacement	Surfaced: 7,000 to 7,400 t (6,900 to 7,300 long tons)[4][5] Submerged: 7,400 to 7,800 t (7,700 long tons)[4][5]
Length	97 m (318 ft 3 in)[4][5]
Beam	11.3 m (37 ft 1 in)[4][5]
Draught	10 m (32 ft 10 in)[4][5]
Propulsion	Rolls-Royce PWR 2 reactor, MTU 600 kilowatt diesel generators
Speed	30 kn (56 km/h; 35 mph), submerged[4][5]
Range	Unlimited[6]
Endurance	90 days[6]
Test depth	Over 300 m (984 ft 3 in)
Complement	98 (capacity for 109)[4]
Sensors & processing systems	Thales Sonar 2076 Atlas DESO 25 echosounder 2 × Thales CM010 optronic masts Raytheon Successor IFF
Armament	6 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes with stowage for up to 38 weapons:[7] Tomahawk Block IV cruise missiles Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes

History

On 25 March 2010, BAE Systems were given the authorisation by the British government to begin construction on boats 5 and 6 (Anson and Agamemnon), being given a £300 million contract for the "initial build" of boat 5 and "long lead procurement activities" for boat 6.^[8] Later that year work was begun on the pressure hull and reactor compartments. On 15 September 2011 it was announced that boat 5 would be named Anson;^[9] it was previously believed that boat 5 would be Agamemnon and boat 6 Anson. Her keel was ceremonially laid on 13 October 2011.^[10][11] On 19 November 2015, a possible new contract worth £1.3 billion was signed for HMS Anson.^[12] She was officially named on 11 December 2020,^[13][14] was rolled out of the Devonshire Dock Hall on 19 April 2021,^[15] and launched on 20 April 2021.^[16] It completed its first practice dive in a dock on 14 February 2022.^[17] She was commissioned on 31 August 2022 prior to starting sea trials.^[18][19] On 19 February 2023 she left Barrow for the first time for her sea trials.^[20] These were declared as complete on 21 May 2024.^[21]

At the beginning of February 2025, the submarine docked for the first time in the Port of Gibraltar to load weapons.^[22]

Design

Propulsion

Anson's nuclear reactor will not need to be refuelled during the boat's 25-year service. Since the submarine can purify water and air, she will be able to circumnavigate the planet without resurfacing. The main limit is that the submarine will only be able to carry three months' supply of food for 98 officers and ratings.

Weapons

Anson will have provision for up to 38 weapons in six 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes.^[23] The submarine will be capable of using Tomahawk Block IV land-attack missiles with a range of 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometres)^[24] and Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes.