Many current submarine tasks rely on being able to communicate rapidly with headquarters, other naval units or forces ashore.

Astute’s principal communications use the highest data rates available to pass messages, pictures and video imagery to the operating authority. They also allow the crew to receive regular intelligence updates from other agencies, and can even be used for Ship’s Company to stay in touch with their loved ones back in the UK.

This modern communications suite will allow the submarine to become more interoperable with NATO forces operating across the globe, shedding the submarine’s traditional isolated image and becoming a real asset to an in-theatre commander operating within a task force.