Originally Posted by
sandiego89
Lets see, how could the worst program work?....in the name of maximum equality share for the US and UK, and local jobs for AUS, US systems and weapons suite (or maybe even the reactor) is shoehorned into an Astute, BAE is hired as the integrator, and rips out all the perfectly good US gear and tries to splice it to the UK black boxes, and the whole thing is assembled by Australian pipe fitters and welders who are underexperienced with the specialized metals that go into sub work....ooh and several late changes in specs for new technologies and mission creep....
Firstly, the British company who designed and built the Astute class Weapon Launch System was also working on AFSP (Attack class) because thye RAN uses American submarine weapons. The French sub's weapon launch system was designed for French weapons, so a new system was required. The same British company designed and built the WLS for the Collins class for the same reason - the original Swedish sub was designed for Swedish weapons and the RAN uses American weapons. The Astute class WLS is a very flexible system and can be easily used for US weapons.
Secondly, the Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC) built, maintain, repair and overhaul the Collins class submarines, so have a lot of accumulated knowledge, which was one of the main drivers in its creation.
Apologies for the serious answer.