One of the newest submarines in the United Kingdom is the HMS Ambush. It has the ability to hear a ship leaving port in New York as it sits underneath the water in the English channel. The submarine has cruise missiles that can hit targets over 1,200 miles from its location, its sonar can detect vessels moving across the ocean, its nuclear reactor permits it to cruise non-stop for 25 years and it does not even have a periscope.
The submarine cost close to £1billion to construct. The HMS Ambush was built by BAE Systems and is thought to be the most powerful nuclear attack submarine in the world.
Instead of having a periscope, the submarine features a digital camera system that allows the crew to see above the water’s surface when it is underwater. The submarine can travel more than 500 miles per day, which means it can be deployed anywhere across the globe in a matter of just two weeks.
The commander of the submarine, Peter Green, said that the abilities of the sub are ‘unparalleled.’ ‘This sub is a huge step forward in underwater operations,’ he told the Daily Mirror. ‘Her listening ability is quite awesome. She has a sonar system with the processing power of 2,000 laptop computers. It is possible this class of submarine is the most advanced in the world.’
HMS Ambush was launched this week and will begin sea trials soon. Here are some photos of the new pride of the British navy.
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Photo Credit: Dailymail.co.uk