A touch of class: Sean Davies visits BAE systems in Barrow-in-Furness, birthplace of the Astute class submarines

摘要

SUBMARINE CONSTRUCTION is in the waters at Barrow-in-Furness, location of the BAE Systems site that launched the Holland One 110 years ago. But the new Astute class of submarines being built for the Royal Navy has challenged that century-long manufacturing proficiency to the full. At 97m long and displacing 7,400t, the Astute class is certainly impressive, but the Devonshire Dock Hall is more than capable of hosting its manufacture. The 268m-long facility, opened 25 years ago by then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, can house two subs and a frigate together, and it remains the hub of the manufacturing operation.