Here is the story about HMS Astute being able to detect the QE2 leaving new york harbour. It doesn’t say that it has done this only that it is possible.
The Astute, the first attack submarine to be built in Britain almost two decades, has a listening system that can detect the QE2 cruise liner leaving New York harbour from the Channel.
This item is also mentioned in a BAE press release.
With a radar signature equivalent to a dolphin, it can remain undetected thousands of miles from home and hundreds of metres underwater. In the right conditions it can detect the QE2 leaving New York harbour from the English Channel.
Now it says that HMS Astute has the same radar signature as a dolphin. I’m not sure this is relevant as don’t you detect nuclear submarines using sonar and listening devices? It must be one impressive dolphin if it can pump out 110db of noise. I would think if the submarine is to be compared to anything it would be a blue whale.
Some of the stories say that it won’t need it’s reactor refuelled in its 25 year service life and some say it’s 35 year service life. Anyone know which is accurate? I’m guessing that if it’s 25 years and you run it for 30 years without refuelling the reactor would just provide a little less power as it went past 25 years? I’m no nuclear expert so i’m guessing here.
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