Queen Elizabeth-class

Summary

Description

The Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers are central assets of the Royal Navy's fleet, designed to project power and influence across the globe. They are named after historic monarchs, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, and serve as a clear statement of the UK’s ambition to maintain a formidable presence on the world’s oceans.

Conceived in the early 2000s, their origin lies in the strategic need for a class of ships that could meet the modern demands of warfare, humanitarian aid, and disaster relief. The decision to commission this class came with an understanding of the increasing importance of maritime strength and the need for versatile platforms that can adapt to various mission requirements.

These carriers are the first in the Royal Navy to use a twin-island design, which separates the navigation bridge from the flight control operations to reduce air turbulence over the flight deck. The adoption of the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System was considered but ultimately, a ski-jump design was retained to launch aircraft, reflecting a preference for STOVL (Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing) aircraft like the F-35B Lightning II.

While they are not as heavily armed as their counterparts from other nations, with self-defense limited to Phalanx CIWS (Close-In Weapon Systems), 30mm guns, and mini-guns, their real power lies in their air wings. The carriers can deploy a versatile array of aircraft, including the aforementioned F-35Bs, Merlin helicopters for anti-submarine warfare and troop transportation, and Crowsnest AEW (Airborne Early Warning) helicopters.

The operational history of the Queen Elizabeth class began with HMS Queen Elizabeth being commissioned in 2017 and achieving initial operational capability in 2020. The carriers have since been involved in a series of exercises and operations, demonstrating the UK’s commitment to maintaining a blue-water navy capable of global reach. Notably, HMS Queen Elizabeth undertook its first operational deployment, 'Operation Fortis', which saw the carrier strike group transit through the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, and into the Pacific, engaging in joint exercises with allied nations and showing the flag in regions of strategic interest.

Technical specifications