HMS Ambush (S120)
{{short description|Astute-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the Royal Navy}}
{{Other ships|HMS Ambush}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
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{{Infobox ship image |Ship image= HMS Ambush long.jpg |Ship caption=Ambush on sea trials, December 2012. }} {{Infobox ship career |Hide header= |Ship country=United Kingdom |Ship flag=Image:Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg |Ship name= HMS Ambush |Ship namesake= Ambush |Ship owner= |Ship operator= |Ship registry= |Ship route= |Ship ordered=March 1997 |Ship awarded= |Ship builder=BAE Systems Submarine Solutions |Ship original cost= |Ship yard number= |Ship way number= |Ship laid down=22 October 2003 |Ship sponsor= |Ship christened=16 December 2010{{cite web|url=http://www.nwemail.co.uk/home/ambush-rollout-delay-1.791099?referrerPath=news/1.503705|title=Ambush rollout delay|date=16 December 2010|work=NW Evening Mail|access-date=16 December 2010}}{{dead link|date=October 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} |Ship completed= |Ship acquired= |Ship commissioned=1 March 2013|Ship recommissioned= |Ship decommissioned= |Ship maiden voyage= |Ship in service= |Ship out of service= |Ship renamed= |Ship reclassified= |Ship refit= |Ship struck= |Ship reinstated= |Ship homeport=HM Naval Base Clyde |Ship identification=Pennant number: S120 |Ship nickname= |Ship honours= |Ship honors= |Ship captured= |Ship fate= |Ship status= In active service |Ship notes= |Ship badge = 125px }} {{Infobox ship characteristics |Hide header= |Header caption= |Ship class=Astute-class fleet submarine |Ship displacement=*Surfaced: 7,000 to {{convert|7400|t|abbr=on}}{{cite book|last=Bush|first=Steve|title=British Warships and Auxiliaries|year=2014|publisher=Maritime Books|pages=10–11 |isbn=978-1904459552}}{{cite web|title=Astute-class attack submarines|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/the-equipment/submarines/fleet-submarines/astute-class|website=royalnavy.mod.uk|publisher=Royal Navy|access-date=27 July 2016}} |Ship length={{convert|97|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |Ship beam={{convert|11.3|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |Ship height= |Ship draught={{convert|10|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |Ship draft= |Ship depth= |Ship hold depth= |Ship decks= |Ship deck clearance= |Ship ramps= |Ship ice class= |Ship power= |Ship propulsion=
|Ship sail plan= |Ship speed={{convert|30|kn|abbr=on|lk=in}}, submerged |Ship range=Unlimited{{cite web|title=BAE Systems – Astute class submarines|url=http://www.baesystems.com/en/product/astute-class-submarines-enhanced|website=baesystems.com|publisher=BAE Systems|access-date=25 July 2016}} |Ship test depth=Over {{convert|300|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |Ship boats= |Ship capacity= |Ship troops= |Ship complement=98 (capacity for 109) |Ship crew= |Ship time to activate= |Ship sensors=
|Ship EW= |Ship armament=
|Ship armour= |Ship armor= |Ship aircraft= |Ship aircraft facilities= |Ship notes= }} |
HMS Ambush is an Astute-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the Royal Navy, the second boat of her class.
Ambush is the third vessel, and the second submarine, to bear the name in Royal Naval service. She was ordered in 1997, laid down in 2003 and commissioned in 2013.
Design
=Propulsion=
Ambush's nuclear reactor will not need to be refuelled during the boat's 25-year service. Since the submarine can purify water and air, she will be able to circumnavigate the planet without resurfacing. The main limit is that the submarine will only be able to carry three months' supply of food for 98 officers and ratings.
=Weapons=
Ambush has provision for up-to 38 weapons in six {{convert|21|in|mm|adj=on|0}} torpedo tubes.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6625477.stm |title=Alien submarine breaks technical barriers |publisher=BBC News |date=7 May 2007 |access-date=20 March 2016}} The submarine is capable of using Tomahawk Block IV land-attack missiles with a range of {{convert|1000|mi|km|abbr=off}}{{cite web|title=United States Navy Fact File: Tomahawk Land Attack Missile|url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=2200&tid=1300&ct=2|publisher=United States Navy|access-date=27 July 2016|archive-date=27 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827150407/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=2200&tid=1300&ct=2|url-status=dead}} and Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes.
Construction and commissioning
Ambush was ordered from GEC's Marconi Marine (now BAE Systems Submarine Solutions) on 17 March 1997. She was laid down at Barrow-in-Furness on 22 October 2003,[http://production.investis.com/bae/shareholder_info/communications/2003/2003-10-31#m4 BAE Systems Investor Brief] October 2003 officially named on 16 December 2010,{{cite web|url=http://www.defencemanagement.com/news_story.asp?id=15034|title=Navy names new attack submarine|publisher=defencemanagement.com|access-date=2010-12-19|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709010231/http://www.defencemanagement.com/news_story.asp?id=15034|archive-date=9 July 2011}} launched on 6 January 2011, completed her initial dive test on 30 September 2011,{{cite news|url=http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/underwater-tests-mark-ambush-milestone-1.884679|title=Underwater Tests Mark Ambush Milestone|date=5 October 2011|work=Northwest Evening Mail|access-date=6 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140914163204/http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/underwater-tests-mark-ambush-milestone-1.884679|archive-date=14 September 2014|url-status=dead}} and departed Barrow for sea trials on 15 September 2012.[http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/barrow/commander-of-bae-systems-barrow-submarine-is-ready-for-sea-1.995992?referrerPath=news/] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130421004523/http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/barrow/commander-of-bae-systems-barrow-submarine-is-ready-for-sea-1.995992?referrerPath=news/|date=21 April 2013}} Second Astute Class submarine ready to leave Barrow Ambush was commissioned in a ceremony at HM Naval Base Clyde on 1 March 2013.{{cite web | url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/submarine-hms-ambush-commissioned-into-the-royal-navy | title=Submarine HMS Ambush commissioned into the Royal Navy | publisher=Ministry of Defence | date=4 March 2013 | access-date=8 March 2013}}
Operational history
Following her commissioning, Ambush continued sea trials throughout much of 2013. In May 2013, she carried out berthing trials with forward support ship {{ship|RFA|Diligence}}{{cite news |title=UK: HMS Ambush Links Up with Support Ship |url=https://www.navaltoday.com/2013/05/08/uk-hms-ambush-links-up-with-support-ship/ |access-date=10 August 2021 |work=Naval Today |date=8 May 2013}} and, in August 2013, she successfully conducted her first live torpedo and cruise missile firings.[http://www.bfbs.com/news/hms-ambush-action-first-time-64281.html HMS Ambush action for the first time] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130812063305/http://bfbs.com/news/hms-ambush-action-first-time-64281.html |date=12 August 2013 }}, bfbs.com
In October 2014, Ambush completed a maiden deployment to the United States and Brazil, visiting Florida's Port Canaveral along the way and taking part in the centenary celebrations of the Brazilian submarine force.{{cite news |title=HMS Ambush back from maiden voyage |url=https://www.helensburghadvertiser.co.uk/news/13980092.hms-ambush-back-from-maiden-voyage/ |access-date=10 August 2021 |work=Helensburgh Advertiser |date=21 October 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.naval.com.br/blog/2014/08/01/comemoracoes-aos-100-anos-da-forca-de-submarinos/|title=Comemorações aos 100 Anos da Força de Submarinos|first=Alexandre|last=Galante|date=1 August 2014|access-date=30 July 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/2014/08/28/british-sub-crew-takes-break-sea-brevard/14757707/|title=British sub crew visits Port Canaveral, Cocoa Beach|access-date=30 July 2016}} In April 2015, Ambush participated in Exercise Joint Warrior, the largest military exercise held in Europe, alongside 55 other naval ships of NATO navies.{{cite news|title=Dozens of warships join British war games off Scotland|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/11528622/Dozens-of-warships-join-British-war-games-off-Scotland.html|access-date=16 April 2015|work=The Telegraph|date=10 April 2015}} She further participated in Exercise Dynamic Manta 15.{{cite news|title=Ambush put to the test on NATO exercise|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2015/september/29/150929-ambush-nato-exercise|access-date=7 April 2016|agency=Royal Navy|date=29 September 2015}}
=Collision=
File:HMS Ambush Returning to HMNB Clyde, Scotland MOD 45155868.jpg
On 20 July 2016, while surfacing on an exercise in the Strait of Gibraltar, Ambush collided with the Panama-flagged merchant ship {{MV|Andreas|1999|2}}, sustaining significant damage to the top of her fin (described as a “conning tower” in some reports) where some of her sonar equipment is housed. It was reported that no crew members were injured during the collision and that the submarine's nuclear reactor section remained completely undamaged.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36852365|title=UK nuclear submarine collides with merchant vessel off Gibraltar|publisher=BBC News|access-date=2016-07-21}}{{cite web | url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/royal-navy-statement-20-july-2016 | title=ROYAL NAVY STATEMENT – 20 July 2016 | publisher= UK Ministry of Defence | date=20 July 2016 | access-date=20 July 2016}}{{cite news |url=http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/barrow/Barrow-built-submarine-HMS-Ambush-still-undergoing-repairs-six-months-after-collision-d534cadc-67e1-436b-97a7-ad65953f4324-ds |title=Barrow-built submarine HMS Ambush still undergoing repairs six months after collision |author=Amy Fenton |newspaper=North West Evening Mail |location=Barrow-in-Furness |date=7 February 2017 |access-date=16 February 2017}}{{cite web |url=https://www.fleetmon.com/maritime-news/2016/13927/tanker-which-collided-nuclear-submarine-hms-ambush/ |title=Tanker which collided with nuclear submarine HMS AMBUSH identified, probably damaged |publisher=Fleetmon |date=23 July 2016 |access-date=20 December 2017 }} Repairs cost £2.1 million and the commander, who was training a group of students at the time, was sentenced to forfeiting a year of seniority for negligently hazarding the vessel.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/feb/15/nuclear-submarine-commander-admits-hazarding-ship-after-collision |title=Nuclear submarine commander 'took eye off ball' before collision |newspaper=The Guardian |agency=Press Association |date=15 February 2018 |access-date=16 February 2018}}
As of early 2024, HMS Ambush was reported to be undergoing a period of prolonged maintenance at Faslane, having last been to sea in the autumn of 2022.{{cite tweet |url=https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/1772590048459792772?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet |title=@NavyLookout HMS Ambush maintenance continues in Faslane. (She has not been to sea since Autumn 2022) |number=1772590048459792772 |user=NavyLookout |date=26 March 2024 |access-date=26 March 2024}}
Affiliations
Ambush is affiliated to:
- Burton Sea Cadets: The Sea Cadet unit TS Modwena
- Newark Sea Cadets: The Sea Cadet unit TS Newark Castle
- The city of Derby{{cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/The-Fleet/Submarines/Fleet-Submarines/Astute-Class/HMS-Ambush/Ambush-Affiliations|title=HMS Ambush – Affiliations|publisher=Royal Navy website|access-date=2013-09-05}}
- The Dolphin ward of Royal Derby Hospital
- Bemrose School Derby{{cite web|url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Bemrose-School-visited-Commander-Codd/story-20071117-detail/story.html|title=Bemrose School visited by Commander Codd|date=13 November 2013|access-date=30 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923213804/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Bemrose-School-visited-Commander-Codd/story-20071117-detail/story.html|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=dead}}
- The Sea Cadet unit TS Kenya
- Rolls-Royce Marine Division, Derby
- Royal Naval Association, Derby Submariners' Association, Derby branch
- National Memorial Arboretum
{{Clear|left}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/The-Fleet/Submarines/Fleet-Submarines/Astute-Class/HMS-Ambush Royal Navy HMS Ambush] (royalnavy.mod.uk)
{{Astute class submarine}}
{{Royal Navy ships}}
{{2016 shipwrecks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ambush (S120)}}
Category:Astute-class submarines
Category:Ships built in Barrow-in-Furness
Category:Submarines of the United Kingdom