| Builders | Aircraft Carrier Alliance |
| Active | 2 |
| Operators | Royal Navy |
| Built | 2009-2017 |
The Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers for the Royal Navy are constructed through a collaboration known as the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, comprising BAE Systems, Babcock International, Thales Group, and the Ministry of Defence. Rosyth Dockyard also plays a crucial role in this partnership.
The Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy consist of two impressive vessels: HMS Queen Elizabeth R08 and HMS Prince of Wales R09. The Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers have redefined the capabilities of naval operations, projecting power across the seas and providing vital air support in strategic military endeavors. Let’s delve into their fascinating history.
The main striking force of the Queen Elizabeth Class F-35B
Mission Description of the Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers
The primary role of the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers encompasses a multifaceted array of responsibilities crucial to naval operations. These colossal vessels serve as mobile airbases, capable of deploying and supporting a diverse range of aircraft for combat missions, reconnaissance, and humanitarian operations. Their strategic importance lies in their ability to project power across vast oceanic expanses, enabling rapid response to potential threats and providing a formidable presence in international waters.
Ships in the Class
The Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers consist of the two vessels. They are HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH and HMS PRINCE OF WALES. The lead ship of the class is HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH. She named in honor of Elizabeth I (July 4, 2014). She was commissioned into service on December 7, 2017. Notably, she forms the core of the UK Carrier Strike Group.
Like her counterpart, HMS PRINCE OF WALES plays a pivotal role in the UK’s naval capabilities. She Launched on December 21, 2017, this sister ship joined the fleet with its commissioning on December 10, 2019.
The Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers Armament Load
| Close-In Weapon Systems | 3x 20mm Phalanx CIWS | |
| Guns | 4x 30mm DS30M Mk2 6x 7.62mm M134 Minigun |
The Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers Specifications
| Displacement | 65,000 tonnes (equivalent to 64,000 long tons or 72,000 short tons) |
| Length | 284 meters |
| Beam | 73 meters (240 feet), waterline beam of 39 meters |
| Draught | 11 meters |
| Speeds | 25 knots |
| Decks | 16,000 square meters |
| Range | 10,000 nautical miles |
| Complement | 1,600 personnel |
| Power Plant | 2x Rolls-Royce Marine Trent MT30 gas turbine engines 36 MW (48,000 horsepower) 2x Wärtsilä 16V38 and 2x 12V38 marine diesel engines 40 MW (54,000 horsepower) |
Aircraft Carried
| F-35B Lighning II |
| Chinook |
| Apache AH64 |
| Wildcat AH1 and HMA2 |
| Merlin HM2 and HC4 |
| Merlin Crowsnest AEW |
