HMS ASTUTE Commissioning Book
Following the success of the award winning ‘Astute – Exit Barrow’ publication for BAE Systems Submarine Solutions, produced in late 2009. Forepoint were approached to give full creative and production input to produce a prestigious commemorative book in celebration of the formal commissioning of the HMS Astute into full service. The finished book was produced for the commissioning ceremony, which took place on Friday 27th August 2010 and was overseen by the boat’s patron, the Duchess of Cornwall, where Astute officially became ‘Her Majesty’s Ship’.
HMS ASTUTE Commissioning Book
As the book was a dual commission from both BAE Systems Submarine Solutions and the Royal Navy, with the perception of neutral ownership, we were able to push the boundaries in terms of design interpretation, paying homage to, rather than adhering to each set of brand guidelines, in creating this quality production piece. The book was required to feature the ‘Commissioning Order’ as well as an official endorsement from Clarence House, and detail, the development process, the build programme, the boats performance and capability through to the entire ship’s company and the story so far from its initial exit from Barrow back in November 2009, through its sea trials to the formal commission ceremony.
HMS ASTUTE Commissioning Book
The book itself was case bound, with the cover produced using a Colorplan stock, with gold and white foil blocking to the outer cover, to reinforce the prestigious nature of the publication and also the celebration of this first of class submarine. A select number of special edition books were also produced with a personalised signature sheet and slipcase that mirrored the book cover. The inner pages were printed using both full-colour process, and special inks, in order to retain an accurate colour match and consistency to the outer cover stock and end leaves.
We were honoured to have received acclaim for the quality of the publication from dignitaries and crew at the commissioning ceremony, and are very proud to have been a part of this momentous event in celebrating the commissioning of the most technologically advanced submarine in the world.
Facts about HMS Astute
- She is 97 metres from bow to stern.
- She has a beam of 11.2 metres.
- She displaces 7,400 tonnes of seawater.
- Her cabling and pipework would stretch from Glasgow to Dundee.
- She is the first Royal Navy submarine not to have a traditional periscope, instead using electro-optics to capture a 360-degree image of the surface for subsequent analysis by the commanding officer.
- Astute is the first submarine to have an individual bunk for each crew member.
- She manufactures her own oxygen from seawater as well as her own drinking water.
- She could theoretically remain submerged for her 25-year life, if it were not for the need to restock the crew’s food supplies.
- She is faster under the water than she is on the surface – capable of speeds in excess of 20 knots (37km/h), although her top speed is classified.
Rear Admiral Simon Lister, Director of Submarines, who oversees the build programme of the class for the MOD, said:
“To my mind Astute is a 7,000 tonne Swiss watch. There is an extraordinary amount of expertise that goes into putting one of these submarines together. There are stages when it’s like blacksmithing and there are stages when it’s like brain surgery.”