I just discovered something I didn’t really notice before, on The Australian Nuclear Powered Submarine Taskforce website. That is not a bad Youtube video, which I also found at https://youtu.be/1Ww5kCgkLZY .
It includes shots of Astutes, Virginias and a Los Angeles – all after 50 seconds. There appears to be equivalent airtime for Astutes (presumably implying the SSN(R)) and Virginias – leaving me none the wiser on what the Taskforce/Aus DoD may prefer.
Although elsewhere I’m predicting UK SSN(R) hull and reactor = 60% chance and late model Virginia/SSN(X) = 30% chance.
Either way both hull choices will include the Combat System basis the US shares with the Collins SSK – though a much more capable Combat System version harnessing the massive electrical power from an SSN’s reactor (versus the Collins’ comparatively miniscule diesel-electric power).
All might be revealed in the late 2040s when an Aus SSN, might, just might, be commissioned…which I might see, if I get to 90.