Getting Astute to sea is only the first “float” phase of delivering a new submarine. It is only after extensive trials at sea of the sophisticated equipment and systems, to prove that Astute can “fight”, that she can become a fully operating asset of the Fleet.

Although all of the platform management, communication, sensor and weapon systems have been extensively tested and commissioned before Astute goes to sea, it is only through testing them in the full marine environment that they can be proven fit for purpose.

BAE Systems Head of Test and Commissioning Mick Abbey says: “You might test your car engine on a block on its own, but by commissioning it you put the engine in the car and you run it on a road to make sure it all works, and it handles correctly.

So not only do we commission the submarine and run the engines alongside, we also run them at sea, and our commissioning phase continues through sea trials, to make sure the platform handles dynamically.”

Sea trials are very much a partnership between the Ship’s Company, BAE Systems’ test and commissioning team, the equipment suppliers and Ministry of Defence project personnel. Their role is to prove that the systems installed by the production and operations teams do what the designers intend them to do. The key partnership is between the commissioning team and the crew, who will take Astute to sea and operate her.

Trials of the platform systems began as soon as Astute left Barrow, during her journey to her new home at HM Naval Base Faslane. There has subsequently been an extensive series of trials of all the boat’s systems and capabilities – none more important than proving the submarine’s ability to “deep dive” and resurface safely. The boat’s weapons also have to be tested, at both a shallow range off the Scottish coast and a deep water range in the Atlantic. By the time of operational handover there will be no doubt that the Astute Class comprises the most powerful and advanced attack submarines ever built for the Royal Navy.