THIS is the moment the latest advanced attack submarine set sail into open water from the BAE Systems ship yard for the first time.
Artful is the third Astute class submarine to have been built at the company's Barrow base and made its exit for sea trials on Thursday, August 13.
Commanding Officer Scott Bower guided the 7,400-tonne sub out, leaving it in the hands of the Royal Navy which will put is full range of capabilities to the test.
At 97 metres and powered by nuclear reactors, each vessel is armed with Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk land attack missiles.
Commander Bower said: “I am immensely proud and honoured to be leading the crew of Artful. Her capabilities are extraordinary and represent the next step in our country’s century-long history of operating submarines.”
Artful will follow her sister submarines to Her Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde, in Scotland.
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