Editing Astute-class submarine (section)

===Weapons and systems===
[[File:Royal Navy Submarine HMS Astute Fires a Tomahawk Cruise Missile (TLAM) During Testing Near the USA MOD 45153387.jpg|thumb|''[[HMS Astute (S119)|Astute]]'' firing a [[Tomahawk (missile family)|Tomahawk]] Block IV cruise missile]]
The ''Astute'' class has stowage for 38 weapons and would typically carry a mix of [[Spearfish torpedo|Spearfish]] heavy torpedoes and [[Tomahawk (missile family)|Tomahawk]] Block IV cruise missiles,<ref name=38weapons>{{Cite web|date=2021-11-25|title=Astute versus Virginia: which nuclear-powered sub is the best fit for Australia?|url=https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/astute-versus-virginia-which-nuclear-powered-sub-is-the-best-fit-for-australia/|access-date=2021-12-23|website=The Strategist|language=en-AU|archive-date=23 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211223142909/https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/astute-versus-virginia-which-nuclear-powered-sub-is-the-best-fit-for-australia/|url-status=live}}</ref> the latter costing £870,000 each.<ref>{{cite web |title=House of Commons Hansard - Written Answers for Daily Hansard - Written Answers 17 May 2011 |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm110517/text/110517w0001.htm |publisher=UK Parliament |date=17 May 2011 |access-date=6 November 2011 |archive-date=11 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011185736/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm110517/text/110517w0001.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The Tomahawk missiles are capable of hitting a target to within a few metres, to a range of {{convert|1000|mi|km|abbr=off}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=United States Navy Fact File: Tomahawk Land Attack Missile|url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=2200&tid=1300&ct=2|website=navy.mil|publisher=US Navy|access-date=27 July 2016|archive-date=27 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827150407/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=2200&tid=1300&ct=2|url-status=dead}}</ref> In May 2022, the MOD announced that it would be upgrading these missiles to Block V standard from 2024, which boasts an extended range and modernised in-flight communication and target selection.<ref name="block5">{{cite news |title=£265 million missile upgrade for UK submarines |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/265-million-missile-upgrade-for-uk-submarines |access-date=4 June 2022 |work=[[GOV.UK]] |date=31 May 2022 |archive-date=12 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212171623/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/265-million-missile-upgrade-for-uk-submarines |url-status=live }}</ref> The Astute Combat Management System is a new version of the [[SMCS|Submarine Command System]] used on other classes of British submarine. The system receives data from the boat's sensors and displays the results on command consoles. The submarines also have [[Atlas Elektronik|Atlas Hydrographic]] DESO 25 high-precision echosounders, two CM010 non-hull-penetrating [[Photonics mast|optronic masts]]—in place of conventional [[periscope]]s—which carry thermal imaging and low-light TV and colour [[Charge-coupled device|CCD]] TV sensors.<ref name="BBCNewsSco1">[[BBC News]] Scotland, ''[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/6969958.stm A vision of evolving technologies] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070911183257/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/6969958.stm |date=11 September 2007 }}'' 30 August 2007, 13:06 GMT</ref> The class also mounts a [[Identification friend or foe|Successor IFF]] system.

For detecting enemy ships and submarines, the ''Astute'' class is equipped with the sophisticated [[Sonar 2076]], an integrated passive/active search and attack [[sonar]] suite with bow, intercept, flank and towed arrays. BAE claims that the 2076 is the world's best sonar system.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.baesystems.com/Newsroom/NewsReleases/2002/press_15052002.html |publisher=BAE Systems |title=Press Release |year=2002 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100909065129/http://www.baesystems.com/Newsroom/NewsReleases/2002/press_15052002.html |archive-date=9 September 2010 }}</ref> All of the Astute-class submarines will be fitted with the advanced Common Combat System.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2016/february/29/160229-artful-test-fire|title=HMS Artful test fires first torpedo using new UK-made advanced Combat System - Royal Navy|access-date=25 July 2016|archive-date=30 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430230318/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2016/february/29/160229-artful-test-fire|url-status=live}}</ref>