The Royal Navy's newest nuclear submarine has set sail to begin sea trials.
The second Astute class submarine Ambush set sail from BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.
The 7,400 tonne attack submarine left the site for Her Majesty's Naval Base (HMNB) Clyde, Faslane, which will become its operational base.
This major milestone in the submarine programme is the point at which Ambush will begin to test its range of capabilities, under the control of Ambush Commanding Officer, Commander Peter Green and his crew.
John Hudson, BAE Systems Maritime - Submarines Managing Director, said: "This is the culmination of a tremendous amount of hard work from everyone at BAE Systems, our partners in the submarine enterprise and the hundreds of businesses in our supply chain network.
"Nuclear powered submarines are ferociously complicated, and it would not have been possible to reach the stage we are at today without the valued input of all those highly-skilled people.
"There now follows an extensive and rigorous period of testing during which we're confident Ambush will go on to demonstrate herself as a fantastic capability."
Commander Peter Green, said: "We are grateful to all the people who have worked hard to construct this vessel. The crew cannot wait to start sea trials and take this magnificent vessel a step closer to beginning operations. It is now time to start putting Ambush through her paces on sea trials and prove that this amazing piece of equipment is ready for operations."
Ambush is the second in a planned class of seven submarines and she follows sister vessel HMS Astute to HMNB Clyde, in Scotland, where the first in class has been based since leaving BAE Systems in 2009.
Minister for Defence, Equipment, Support and Technology Philip Dunne said: "Ambush and her sisters are the most powerful and advanced attack submarines ever ordered for the Royal Navy, they are needed by the fleet and they will play a vital role in the future defence of the UK. The completion of Ambush is a tribute to the hard work and commitment of the thousands of people employed in this country's world-class submarine industry."
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