Maritime Underwater Future Capability (MUFC)

[formerly Future Attack Submarine (FASM)]

Type Designation: ?

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(Above) A speculative graphic from the Sunday Telegraph illustrating several possible MUFC vehicles

(Below) A speculative MUFC design published by the BAE Systems in late 2001.

Sensor Arrays - Ultra-Sophisticated all-round sonar coverage achieved through platypus bow sonar and after fin arrays.
Directional Waterjet Propulsion Pods - Ultra-Quiet directable podded water jet propulsion units rotate at the root to provide vectored directional thrust and unparalleled high/low speed manoeuvrability in conjunction with single lower rudder for stability and steering.

Displacement: ?
Dimensions: ?
Speed: ?
Engines: ?
Missiles: ?
Torpedoes: ?
Complement: ?

Notes:

Project designation: URD ?
Status: Feasibility Studies.  May enter Concept Phase in 2004 with Initial Gate in 2007.
In Service Date:  2024?

The Maritime Underwater Future Capability (MUFC) evolved out of the defunct Future Attack Submarine (FASM) project and appears to now be directed towards producing a multipurpose nuclear powered submarine that will replace the RN's hunter killers (Trafalgar and Astute Class SSN's), and ballistic missile submarines (Vanguard Class SSBN's).

FASM was to have been a new generation attack submarine to replace the Trafalgar Class SSN''s, it's intended role was to provide a versatile and affordable, sustained forward power projection and battlespace dominance capability that delivers a disproportionate effect and preserves mission security, by virtue of stealth, through life across a wide spectrum of defence missions.

In May 2001 the Future Attack Submarine project was renamed the "Maritime Underwater Future Capability" (MUFC) and effectively cancelled in terms of meeting the original requirement for a new generation attack submarine.  A MoD official said the name change was designed to allow a new approach to naval forces.  He said: "Changing the name of our studies from submarine to capability allows us to think more laterally." 

Cdre Paul Lambert, the director of underwater equipment capability at the MoD, said: "Instead of considering what submarine will fill the gap after Astute, we are going back to first principles of defining the capabilities we require." He told the Royal United Services Institute: "We will, however, see far more tasks being conducted remotely.  A suite of UUVs [Unmanned Underwater Vehicles] will provide a considerable portion of our capability needs."

In the future manned submarines are increasingly expected to be used for command and transport roles rather than fighting sea battles.   In place of traditional submarines, the Navy is considering a range of nautical weaponry including robot drones that detect and destroy mines; unmanned intelligence-gathering underwater vehicles; and remote-controlled underwater missile and torpedo platforms. The weapons could be dropped into operations by aircraft or warships.  

As part of MUFC, the RN and DPA is examining a range of remote-controlled underwater robots that its hoped will revolutionise the "silent service".  These new UUVs are no expected to start to enter service in less than 15 to 20 years' time, although it may be as long as 30 years before a full capability can be provided.  It is unclear how much of the FASM work will now be re-used by the MUFC project, and whether MUFC will incorporate Manned Underwater Vehicles (MUV's) as well as Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV's).  This may not have been decided yet, but it seems that large manned submarines will still have an essential role to play as carriers and transports of small and short-range UUV's.

Evolution of the FASM Project

The demise of FASM 2001 placed the Astute Class as effectively the replacement for both the Swiftsure and Trafalgar Class hunter-killer SSN's, rather than just the further.  MUFC was seen as a leading to a revolutionary new capabilities that would only reach full fruition (e.g. a new class of manned "mother subs") in about 2030, when the first Astute would require replacement at the end of its 25 year service life.

However although MUFC was originally orientated as an eventual replacement to Astute, it has recently becoming multi-role in nature.  In June 2004 the United States-based publication Defense News revealed that the latest MUFC design studies were examining replacing both the Vanguard Class Trident missile-firing submarines and eventually the Astute hunter-killer submarines with a single class of multi-role, nuclear-powered submarine.

The first Vanguard Class SSBN entered service in 1995 and will require replacement in 2020 (apparently now  adjusted to 2024/5).  The costs of designing a new submarine are described as "astronomical" by Royal Navy officers, and keeping in service two different types of submarine (SSN and SSBN) with differing roles may simply no longer be affordable. 

The new multi-role MUFC concept includes vertical-launch missile tubes to allow the submarines to fire both nuclear-tipped long-range missiles (possibly including Trident D5, or a lower cost but less capable ballistic missile) and conventionally-armed Tomahawk cruise missiles.  An MoD source said.  "By making the submarine more versatile, we get more value for our money and don’t have billions of pounds of capital investment tied up in a submarines that can never be used for anything except blowing up the world.  ...  It cost more than £9 billion to buy Trident [and the Vanguard SSBN's], and there is just no way we can justify that kind of money any more."  

Other design features of the new submarine includes deploying undersea remotely piloted vehicles to penetrate enemy coastal defences.  A key to making the new multi-role - but smaller - submarine work is a new family of miniaturised nuclear warheads.  There have been persistent reports that Britain is preparing to design a new warhead at the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston, in Berkshire, and is already co-operating with the US on a new family of mini-nuclear warheads, but the MoD has denied any such work is under way.  Further reports in May 2005 indicated that studies are being conducted with the USA - these probably focusing on a new but smaller SLBM to replace Trident D5 and its apparently troublesome W76 warheads.

Given the inevitable need to keep MUFC costs down, it seems likely that many of the more futuristic concepts will almost certainly have to be dropped.  It is possible that MUFC will merely be an evolution and update of the Astute-class, the hull modified and stretched with a new central section to allow volume for tubes for missiles, and "docks" (internal and external to the submarine) for MAV's and UUV's.

However the sheer costs of designing and operating nuclear submarines might still derail the plans for a new class, albeit evolved from the Astute's.  The MOD's cash shortages have suggestions that  it might be forced to undertake a "life extensive" programme for the four Trident submarines.  This would involve replacing key components and modifying the submarines to allow them to serve for another 10-20 years. 

Even this might not be affordable and the RAF is reported to be pushing to take over responsibility for nuclear deterrence as part of its Future Offensive Air System (FOAS) project - a project which needs every justification possible if it is going to receive the many billions that are required to realise it.  The RAF concept would probably involve manned aircraft launching stand-off missiles with nuclear warheads - effectively a reversion to the situation in the mid-1960's.

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