BAE moves heaviest submarine piece

1,000 tonne unit brings traffic to a standstill

Workers at BAE Systems Barrow have moved a 1,000 tonne part of an Astute class submarine through the streets of Barrow.

The cylindrical unit is the heaviest part ever moved by defence firm BAE Systems. The unit was moved from a new assembly shop to the Devonshire Dock Hall for the final build.

Three of the seven Astute nuclear-powered submarines have so far been built with the fourth, HMS Audacious, currently being built in Barrow.

Last month BAE Systems was awarded the contract to build the fifth submarine, bring the total cost of the program so far to £1.3 billion. HMS Anson will be complete and ready for sea trials in 2020.

Meanwhile speculation is mounting over a possible merger between all or parts of Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems. The Financial Times reported it is one of the options being considered alongside nationalisation of Rolls-Royce's nuclear submarines business because of Rolls-Royce's current poor financial performance.