HMS Artful (S121)

HMS Artful is the third Astute-class nuclear-powered fleet submarine of the Royal Navy. She is the second submarine of the Royal Navy to bear this name. Artful was ordered from GEC's Marconi Marine (now BAE Systems Submarine Solutions) on 17 March 1997, and is under construction at Barrow in Furness. She was named on 20 September 2013, is expected to be rolled out of the shipyard construction hall early in 2014, and is due to start sea trials in early 2015.

Nuclear power
Artful's nuclear reactor will not need to be refuelled during the boat's 25 year service. Since the submarine can replenish her air supply and purify water underway and while submerged, she will be able to circumnavigate the planet without resurfacing. The submarine's main limitation will be from the three months supply of food carried for the 98 officers and ratings.

Weapons
Artful will carry a mix of 38 weapons in six 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes;
 * BGM-109 Tomahawk Block IV cruise missiles. Range of 1350 nmi.
 * Spearfish torpedoes.