The Astute class submarine is the latest submarine in the British Navy, as of 2007. This huge submarine has an appearance similar to a whale, and is nuclear-powered, not requiring a single refueling over its 25 year lifetime. It is not unique in this regard, though. The Astute class submarine is built by BAE Systems at the city of Barrow-in-Furness, on the central west coast of Britain. The submarines will cost about $2.4 billion US Dollars (USD) each. The Astute class consists of attack submarines, in contrast to ballistic missile submarines such as the Vanguard class.
