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HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08)

October 14, 2023

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Queen Elizabeth.

HMS Queen Elizabeth is the lead ship of the Queen Elizabeth class of aircraft carriers and the Fleet Flagship of the Royal Navy. Capable of carrying 60 aircraft including fixed wing, rotary wing and autonomous vehicles,[20] she is named in honour of the first HMS Queen Elizabeth, a World War I era super-dreadnought, which in turn was named after Queen Elizabeth I. The carrier Queen Elizabeth carries her namesake ship's honours, as well as her Tudor rose-adorned crest and motto.[4]

HMS Queen Elizabeth, February 2018
History
United Kingdom
NameQueen Elizabeth
NamesakeElizabeth I[4]
OperatorRoyal Navy
Ordered20 May 2008
BuilderAircraft Carrier Alliance at Rosyth Dockyard
Cost
  • Programme cost: £6.1 billion[8]
  • Unit cost: £3 billion[b]
Laid down7 July 2009[3]
Launched17 July 2014
Sponsored by
Christened4 July 2014
Commissioned7 December 2017[2]
In service2020[6]
HomeportHMNB Portsmouth
Identification
MottoSemper Eadem ("Always the Same")[5]
Honours and
awards
StatusIn active service
Badge
General characteristics
Class and typeQueen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier
TypeAircraft supercarrier
Displacement65,000 tonnes (64,000 long tons; 72,000 short tons)[10]
Length284 m (932 ft)[12]
Beam39 m (128 ft) (waterline) 73 m (240 ft) overall
Draught11 m (36 ft)[9]
Decks9 decks below the flight deck
PropulsionGE Integrated electric propulsion powered by two Rolls-Royce Marine 36 MW MT30 gas turbine alternators and four 10 MW diesel engines[11]
Speed25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph), tested to 32 knots (59 km/h; 37 mph)[19]
Range10,000 nautical miles (19,000 km)[6]
Boats & landing
craft carried
  • 2x (36 man) passenger transport boats
  • 2x Pacific 24 RHIBs
Capacity1,600[16]
Troops250[16]
Complement679[15]
Sensors and
processing systems
Armament
Aircraft carried
Aviation facilities
  • Hangar below deck
  • Two aircraft lifts
  • Refuelling and re-arming facilities
  • Ski jump

She began sea trials in June 2017,[21] was commissioned on 7 December 2017 and entered service in 2020. Her first seagoing commanding officer was Commodore Jerry Kyd who was appointed in 2014 but did not take command until May 2016,[22] having previously commanded the carriers Ark Royal and Illustrious.[23]

The ship is designed to operate V/STOL aircraft. The air wing will typically consist of F-35B Lightning II multirole fighters and Merlin helicopters for airborne early warning and anti-submarine warfare. The design emphasises flexibility, with accommodation for 250 Royal Marines and the ability to support them with attack helicopters and large troop transports such as Chinooks. She is the second Royal Navy vessel to bear the name Queen Elizabeth, and is based at HMNB Portsmouth.[24]

Queen Elizabeth will deploy as the central part of a UK Carrier Strike Group with escorts and support ships in order to deliver carrier-enabled power projection.[25]

Design and construction Edit

On 25 July 2007 Defence Secretary Des Browne announced the order for two new carriers.[26] At the time of approval the first carrier was expected to enter service in July 2015 and the budget was £4.085 billion for two ships.[27] The financial crisis led to a political decision in December 2008 to slow production, delaying Queen Elizabeth until May 2016. This added £1.56 billion to the cost.[27] By March 2010 the budget was estimated at £5.9 billion[27] and in November 2013 the contract was renegotiated with a budget of £6.2 billion.[28] The in-service date was further extended to 2020 in the Strategic Defence and Security Review in October 2010.[29]

Construction of Queen Elizabeth began in 2009. The assembly took place in the Firth of Forth at Rosyth Dockyard from nine blocks built in six UK shipyards: BAE Systems Surface Ships in Glasgow, Babcock at Appledore, Babcock at Rosyth, A&P Tyne in Hebburn, BAE at Portsmouth and Cammell Laird (flight decks) at Birkenhead.[30][31] Two of the lower main blocks, together weighing more than 6,000 tonnes and forming part of the base of the ship, were assembled and joined into one piece on 30 June 2011.[32]

On 16 August 2011, the 8,000-tonne Lower Block 03 of Queen Elizabeth left BAE Systems Surface Ships' Govan shipyard in Glasgow on a large ocean-going barge. Travelling 600 miles (970 km) around the northern coast of Scotland, the block arrived at Rosyth on the evening of 20 August 2011.[33]

On 28 October 2012, an 11,000-tonne section of the carrier began a lengthy journey around the south coast of England, avoiding bad weather, from the shipbuilding hall at Govan to the Rosyth dockyard; it arrived on 21 November.[34] The forward island was constructed at BAE Portsmouth and attached on 14 March 2013; the aft island was attached in June 2013. The ski jump was added in November 2013,[16] leaving just the lifts and radar to be lifted into place.[16] By September 2013 Queen Elizabeth was 80% complete internally.[15]

The carrier is three times the size of the Invincible-class, and has the ability to carry approximately three times as many aircraft. Despite this, Queen Elizabeth has marginally fewer crew than the Invincible-class. The ship has two superstructures, or islands, one for navigation and ship's operations and the other for flight control and aerial operations. The islands can take on each other's function if one is incapacitated.[35]

Naming ceremony Edit

See also: Ships christened by Queen Elizabeth II
 
Queen Elizabeth alongside Illustrious on the day of her naming ceremony

Queen Elizabeth was christened at Rosyth on 4 July 2014, by Queen Elizabeth II, who said that the warship "marks a new phase in our naval history". Instead of smashing the traditional bottle of Champagne on the hull, she used a bottle of whisky from the Bowmore distillery on Islay.

The ceremony was attended by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (the Lord High Admiral), Admiral George Zambellas (First Sea Lord), senior naval officers from the United States and France, and by politicians including David Cameron and Gordon Brown (the Prime Minister and his immediate predecessor) and Alex Salmond (the First Minister of Scotland). The official piece of music HMS Queen Elizabeth March, composed by WO2 Bandmaster John Morrish, was performed at the naming ceremony by the Band of HM Royal Marines Scotland. This piece of music is a competition-winning march chosen by the Carrier Alliance Group, performed and recorded by the Royal Marines Massed Bands.

The ceremony also featured a fly-past by the Red Arrows and a second comprising Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and British Army helicopters. HMS Illustrious was berthed adjacent to Queen Elizabeth during the ceremony.[36]

The ship was floated out of dry dock on the morning of 17 July 2014.[37] Fitting out was completed at the end of 2015 and the crew moved aboard in May 2016.[citation needed]

Sea trials Edit

 
Queen Elizabeth at sea on 28 June, two days after her departure from Rosyth, in company with frigates Sutherland (foreground) and Iron Duke (background)

Sea trials were planned beginning in March 2017 with delivery expected in May 2017,[16][37] but technical issues delayed her trials.[38] Prior to her departure from Rosyth, an extensive survey was carried out of the Firth of Forth by Gleaner and 42 Regiment, Royal Engineers to gather information on the tides, the depth of the river bed, and the height of the three river crossings (Forth Bridge, Forth Road Bridge, and Queensferry Crossing). This was necessary as the most recent data available were 60 years old.[39]

Queen Elizabeth sailed on 26 June 2017 to undergo sea trials.[40][41] The first stage of the operation was to move the ship from inside the fitting out basin, via one of the access gates, into the Firth of Forth itself, before taking her under the three Forth bridge crossings.[42] Once this was accomplished, the ship took to the open sea off the east coast of Scotland to undertake the first set of trials, including handling and speed tests. During this period, Queen Elizabeth was accompanied by a pair of Type 23 frigates, Sutherland and Iron Duke, acting as escorts.[43] The first aircraft to land on the ship was a Merlin HM.2 helicopter of 820 Naval Air Squadron on 3 July.[44] Queen Elizabeth arrived at her first stopover at Invergordon, where the ship was fuelled and provisioned. At this point inspections of the hull were carried out.[45] This opportunity allowed defect rectification to be carried out prior to the ship returning to sea.

 
A pair of Super Hornets from USS George H.W. Bush overfly Queen Elizabeth during Exercise Saxon Warrior in 2017

On 8 August 2017, Queen Elizabeth diverted from her sea trials to rendezvous with the ships engaged in Exercise 'Saxon Warrior'; this allowed for a photo exercise in company with the American Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush and her Carrier Strike Group (CSG), comprising USS Donald Cook, USS Philippine Sea, HMS Iron Duke, HMS Westminster and HNoMS Helge Ingstad.[46]

Queen Elizabeth was scheduled to return to Rosyth at the end of July for rectification work based on the results of the ship's first sea trials, before putting to sea for a second time to undergo a series of mission system tests, prior to being handed over to the Royal Navy.[47] This plan was abandoned and she instead steered for her home port, Portsmouth.[48]

 
HMS Queen Elizabeth sailing into her home port of Portsmouth for the first time.

Queen Elizabeth arrived at HMNB Portsmouth for the first time on 16 August 2017 and berthed at the newly renamed Princess Royal Jetty (formerly Middle Slip Jetty).[49]

On 30 October 2017, the ship departed Portsmouth for the first time for the second phase of her sea trials off the south and south-west coasts of England.[50] For part of this second period of sea trials, she was accompanied by the Type 45 destroyer Dragon.[51] Queen Elizabeth returned to Portsmouth on 21 November 2017 to prepare for her official commissioning ceremony, which was held on 7 December 2017.[52][53] Following the ship's commissioning, she underwent a period of defect correction in Portsmouth; one instance was a leak through a seal in one of the propeller shafts, which the Royal Navy stated was not serious enough to keep Queen Elizabeth from her planned programme.[54][55]

Operational history Edit

On 2 February 2018, Queen Elizabeth sailed from Portsmouth for a second time, for a six-week deployment to undergo the first phases of operational training; initially, the ship was scheduled to head into the Western Approaches to undertake her initial Operational Sea Training (OST) programme. Once complete, Queen Elizabeth was then taken into the North Atlantic for both heavy weather testing and operations to begin helicopter certification, including with Merlin Mk2 and Mk3 and Chinook helicopters. During this deployment, the ship made her first overseas port visit, stopping over in Gibraltar[56] from 9 to 12 February.[57] During this, the ship also began initial amphibious assault trials, with Royal Marines from 42 Commando embarked to simulate an air assault scenario.[58] Queen Elizabeth was also scheduled to undergo a first replenishment at sea from RFA Tidespring; although the actual replenishment had to be abandoned due to bad weather, the rendezvous allowed both ships the opportunity to simulate the scenario in detail.[59] Queen Elizabeth returned to Portsmouth on 27 February 2018, berthing at Princess Royal Jetty.[60] On 2 March 2018 in Portsmouth Harbour, Queen Elizabeth successfully tested her port side Marine Evacuation System (MES), a series of bright orange inflatable escape chutes and rafts.[61]

Queen Elizabeth departed Portsmouth for a third time on 10 June 2018,[62] heading to the coasts of Cornwall for a second phase of helicopter flight trials. After the trials were completed, Queen Elizabeth headed for home and performed her first replenishment at sea (RAS) refuelling operation with Tidespring on 21 June 2018 in the English Channel,[63] then returned to Portsmouth on 23 June 2018.[64] On return from the initial OST and helicopter certification work, further work was undertaken to prepare the ship for the operation of fixed-wing aircraft, in conjunction with regular maintenance and installation of her final weapons fit.

 
Queen Elizabeth in Portsmouth September 2017

Westlant 18 Edit

Queen Elizabeth's first significant deployment took place during autumn 2018, when the ship travelled across the Atlantic to begin flying trials with her fixed-wing aircraft. Although the programme covered a range of areas, including the continued workup of the Commander UK Carrier Strike Group and his staff, embarked for a deployment or the first time, and small-scale exercises to test the ship's ability to land troops in the secondary amphibious role, the primary purpose was the first phase of fixed-wing flying trials involving the F-35B over two separate periods of approximately 3–4 weeks each starting in mid-September, utilising a pair of the instrumented development aircraft from VX-23, the US Navy's air testing unit at NAS Patuxent River. The testing programme saw the first launch of an F-35 from a ski-jump at sea (the F-35B has operated from the US Navy's assault ships, but these are not fitted with ski-jumps), and the first demonstration of the shipborne rolling vertical landing technique.

In addition to the F-35 trials, Queen Elizabeth also began qualifications for types of aircraft operated by the US armed forces, including the V-22 Osprey. As part of the deployment, the ship made her first overseas port visit to New York City in October, in between layovers at Naval Station Norfolk, some operations in the Caribbean possible, to test the ship's hot weather performance, as well as being on hand if needed for any disaster relief operations during the hurricane season. Queen Elizabeth was scheduled to return to the UK in December.[37][65][66][67][68]

 
Queen Elizabeth arriving at Mayport following her Atlantic crossing.

On 18 August 2018, Queen Elizabeth sailed from Portsmouth on what was termed as "Westlant 18", carrying three Merlin Mk2 helicopters of 820 NAS. Later, on 20 August 2018, three additional Merlin Mk4 helicopters from 845 NAS were embarked to the ship.[69] Queen Elizabeth was then met by HMS Monmouth to form a carrier group.[70] On 3 September 2018, Monmouth's Wildcat HMA2 helicopter became the first of its type to land aboard Queen Elizabeth.[71] On 5 September 2018, the two ships arrived at Naval Station Mayport in north-east Florida, for a period of replenishment.[72] The ships remained in Florida for eight days before departing for the planned trip northwards to US Naval Station Norfolk.[73]

During the transit north, she was to undertake an amphibious assault exercise off the coast of South Carolina using its Merlin Mk4 helicopters and Royal Marines of 42 Commando. However, due to the effects of Hurricane Florence, this exercise was cancelled and the group instead sailed south; Monmouth headed to waters off The Bahamas, which acted as a windbreak, while Queen Elizabeth skirted around the south of the hurricane zone. The group eventually arrived at Norfolk on 17 September. During the period alongside at Norfolk, Queen Elizabeth embarked a further 200 personnel of the F-35B Integrated Test Force, to undertake the testing and analysis of the two F-35B aircraft to be used during the initial set of flying trials.[73]

On 25 September 2018, two US-owned F-35B test aircraft, based at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, flew out to meet Queen Elizabeth off the New Jersey coast. After refuelling, Commander Gray then achieved the first F-35B take off from Queen Elizabeth using the ski-jump ramp.[74] During the initial F-35B trials, Queen Elizabeth also began trials for the UK Carrier Group staff when the ship, along with Monmouth, formed a task group with the US Navy destroyer USS Lassen[75] and USNS Supply, a fast combat support ship, which performed RAS with Queen Elizabeth and Monmouth on 1 October 2018.[76] During October, the first instances of cross-decking took place when a US Navy MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter, and a US Marine Corps tiltrotor MV-22B Osprey landed on board.[77][78] The first shipborne rolling vertical landing (SRVL) by an F-35 was undertaken on 14 October – this was also the first operational demonstration of the technique on a ship at sea, and is planned as the primary method of recovering fixed-wing aircraft aboard the Queen Elizabeth class.[79]

On 19 October 2018, Queen Elizabeth arrived in New York City for a planned seven day visit. Kyd remarked "we are the biggest carrier to go in there for about 50 years", as the U.S. Navy's nuclear-powered aircraft carriers are forbidden from making a port of call in New York City.[80] She dropped anchor near Ellis and Liberty Islands in Upper New York Bay.[81] During the ship's stopover, she played host to a forum hosted by Gavin Williamson, the UK Secretary of State for Defence, on the future of cyber security,[82] as well as an international trade day hosted by Liam Fox, the Secretary of State for International Trade.[83] On 19 November 2018, another milestone was met with a F-35B test pilot landing on the ship facing the stern instead of the bow.[84]

Post-Westlant 18 Edit

Following the ship's return from Westlant 18, Queen Elizabeth began a maintenance period in early 2019 that saw the installation of the remainder of the ship's self-defence armament, with two Phalanx CIWS mounts fitted.[85][86] This was followed by the ship's return to Rosyth to allow it to be dry-docked for its first scheduled hull inspection.[87] The remaining Phalanx CIWS and four DS30M mounts will be fitted during 2020.

After further fixed-wing aircraft trials in 2019, using British F-35 aircraft over UK waters, followed then by operational testing.[88] Queen Elizabeth was expected to reach initial operational capability by 2020, now with Commodore Stephen Moorhouse in command.[89] Gavin Williamson announced that the ship's first deployment will be to the Mediterranean, the Middle East and the Pacific region, the last to counter China's territorial claims in the South China Sea.[90][91]

On 10 January 2019, Jane's Defence Weekly reported that F-35 aircraft of the United Kingdom would join the F-35Bs of the US Marine Corps in embarking Queen Elizabeth for the ship's first operational cruise in 2021.[92]

Westlant 19 Edit

 
Queen Elizabeth operating with British F-35 aircraft for the first time, October 2019
 
Queen Elizabeth and her Carrier Strike Group during Exercise Westlant 19.

Queen Elizabeth departed for her second WESTLANT cruise on 30 August 2019.[93] This deployment was to undertake the second stage of fixed-wing flight testing, and would see the F-35B employed as a full part of the ship's air group, with 617 Squadron due to embark for the first time to operate alongside 17 Squadron, the type's evaluation unit.[94] The deployment will also see the first full up operation of the UK Carrier Strike Group, with Queen Elizabeth to be accompanied by HMS Northumberland and HMS Dragon supported by RFA Tideforce.[95] On 13 October 2019, F-35Bs from 17 Squadron landed on HMS Queen Elizabeth for the first time.[96]

HMS Queen Elizabeth arrived home in Portsmouth on 4 December 2019. On 16 December 2019, the first-ever F-35B launch in British territorial waters took place, when an aircraft of that model took off from the flight deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth in Portsmouth Harbour. The aircraft, registration ZM148 (BK14) safely returned to its base at RAF Marham on the same day. ZM148 (BK14) had developed a fault during Westlant19 and was retained aboard Queen Elizabeth for repair.[97]

Post-Westlant 19 Edit

HMS Queen Elizabeth departed Portsmouth in January 2020 for flight trials in UK waters for the first time and was joined by British-owned F-35B Lightning aircraft from RAF No. 207 Squadron.[98][99] In June 2020, F-35Bs from 617 Squadron landed on Queen Elizabeth for Operational Sea Training to prepare for Initial Operating Capability (Maritime) by the end of 2020.[100][101]

The summer 2020 period was spent in harbour undergoing preparation work for September, when the ship took part in a major carrier group exercise that was run as part of Exercise Joint Warrior, with the Queen Elizabeth accompanied not just by ships of the Royal Navy, but also an escort from both the US and Dutch navies, as well as two squadrons of F-35Bs- one each from both the RAF and USMC.[102] Following the conclusion of Joint Warrior, the ship returned to port to have the remainder of its equipment fitted, while the joint UK/US air group undertook a further exercise from RAF Marham.

Initial Operating Capability was announced on 4 January 2021,[103] and on 27 January, the ship assumed the role of Fleet Flagship of the Royal Navy, taking over from amphibious transport dock HMS Albion.[104][105]

Carrier Strike Group 21 Edit

Main article: United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group 21
 
F-35B of 617 Squadron takes off during Carrier Sea Training in 2020
 
HMS Queen Elizabeth alongside USS America and JS Ise on 24 August 2021.

Between 7 and 21 May, the Carrier Strike Group took part in Exercise Strike Warrior, as part of Exercise Joint Warrior 21-1[citation needed] Once the carrier strike group finished Exercise Strike Warrior, it made its way back to HMNB Portsmouth for final preparations, before finally departing on 23 or 24 May. On 21 May, Prime Minister Boris Johnson toured the ship.[106] Queen Elizabeth II visited the ship on 22 May.[107] Initially the group took part in joint exercises with NATO partners in the Eastern Atlantic, before entering the Mediterranean Sea, where it more conducted exercises with Mediterranean NATO allies, including with the French carrier Charles de Gaulle,[108] in the dual-carrier exercise named Exercise Gallic Strike[109] before entering port at Souda Bay for a logistic stop.[110] A Type 45 destroyer, HMS Defender and HMNLS Evertsen detached from the group to enter the Black Sea[111] – a visit that was already planned prior to the heightened Russian activity in the region.[112] On 7 July 2021, the group transited the Suez Canal to enter the Indian Ocean where they conducted joint exercises with the Indian Navy[113] before proceeding past Singapore, without stopping, to enter the disputed South China Sea region to conduct freedom of navigation exercises in the area with the US Navy.[citation needed] Subsequently, the group will pay a visit to South Korea and then conduct exercises with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and United States Navy around the islands of Japan.[114]

On 18 June 2021, Queen Elizabeth began combat operations against ISIS, supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. F-35B aircraft from 617 Squadron, RAF and US Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 (VMFA-211) launched strikes from Queen Elizabeth to attack ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria.[115][116]

An outbreak of COVID-19 was reported on Queen Elizabeth and her escort ships on 14 July 2021. The British Defence Secretary stated that the outbreak was being managed and that all personnel in the Carrier Strike Group had been vaccinated against COVID-19. Mitigation measures were also in place aboard the warships including the use of masks, social distancing and a "Track and Trace system" to monitor personnel movement. The deployment proceeded as planned to Japan.[117]

On 26 July 2021, Queen Elizabeth and her escort ships conducted a passage exercise with three ships from the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) in the South China Sea. This is the first time that a Royal Navy Carrier Strike Group has conducted military exercises with the RSN.[118] On 16 November 2021, one of the carrier's F-35B fighters, ZM152 from 617 Squadron, crashed during operations in the Mediterranean. The pilot was able to eject safely.[119]

Carrier Strike Deployment 23 Edit

In September 2023, the carrier embarked 8 F-35B fighters from 617 Squadron, 5 Merlin helicopters from 820 Squadron and 3 Wildcat helicopters from 847 Squadron for its "Operation FIREDRAKE" deployment in northern European waters. Of five Merlins deployed, two were in the AEW configuration. The carrier was escorted by HMS Diamond, HMS Kent and RFA Tideforce. [120]

Aircraft Edit

The two ships of the Queen Elizabeth class are each expected to be capable of carrying over forty aircraft, with a normal maximum load of thirty-six F-35s and four helicopters,[121] but with a theoretical surge capacity of up to 72 aircraft. The 2010 SDSR anticipated the routine peacetime deployment of twelve F-35Bs, but a typical warload will be 24 F-35Bs and some helicopters.[15] These could be a "Maritime Force Protection" package of nine anti-submarine Merlin HM2 and five Merlin Crowsnest for airborne early warning; alternatively a littoral manoeuvre package could include a mix of Royal Navy Commando Helicopter Force Merlin HC4, Wildcat AH1, RAF Chinooks, and Army Air Corps Apaches.[15] In 2022, it was reported that initially five Merlins will be equipped with Crowsnest, and three of these will normally be assigned to the "high readiness" aircraft carrier.[122]

The hangars are designed for CH-47 Chinook operations without blade folding and for the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor, whilst the aircraft lifts can accommodate two Chinooks with unfolded blades.[123]

Passenger transfer boats Edit

Class overview
BuildersAlnmaritec
OperatorsRoyal Navy
Planned4
Completed4
General characteristics
Length13.1 m
Beam3.6 m
Draught0.6 m
Propulsion
  • 2 × Cummins QSC8.3 600 bhp (450 kW) diesel engines
  • 2 x Ultrajet UJ377
Speed18 kn (33 km/h)
Complement2

The two ships of the Queen Elizabeth class can each carry up to three passenger transfer boats (PTBs) made by Blyth-based company Alnmaritec.[124] Each PTB carries 36 passengers and two crew to operate the vessel. The boat is 13.1 m long and davit-launched. To enable the craft to fit into the docking area the navigation and radar masts are fitted with Linak actuators so that they can be lowered automatically from the command console. The enclosed cabin is heated and there is a set of heads forward.[125]

Weapons systems Edit

Defensive weapons include the Phalanx Close-In Weapons System for anti-aircraft and anti-missile defence, and 30mm Automated Small Calibre Guns (fitted for but not with, and not carried as of 2021.[17]) and initially Miniguns for use against fast attack craft.[6] In 2023, the Minigun was retired from Royal Navy service and replaced by Browning .50 caliber heavy machine guns.[129] She would be escorted into high risk areas by the Type 45 destroyer, which was made specially to fulfil this role. In lower risk situations, frigates or even patrol vessels may be used instead. It will carry 4 miniguns and 8 general purpose machine guns.

Munitions handling Edit

Incorporated into the first two blocks is a sophisticated handling and deployment system for air weapons known as the Highly Mechanised Weapon Handling System (HMWHS), with the aim of achieving a sortie generation rate which is about six times faster than any previous Royal Navy aircraft carrier. The system requires only 50 people and could be operated with as few as 12 in an emergency; it is estimated that 160 would be needed to produce the same efficiency with conventional equipment. The system moves munitions on pallets by means of remotely controlled electric vehicles and lifts.[130]

Affiliations Edit

Freedom of Entry Edit

  • Town of Wantage – granted on Monday, 14 October 2019.[137]

See also Edit

References Edit

Footnotes Edit

  1. ^ These honours were won by the ship's predecessor.[1]
  2. ^ As of November 2013 the official project cost for the two carriers is £6.2bn.[8]

Notes Edit

  1. ^ Thomas, David A. (1998). Battles and Honours of the Royal Navy (Kindle ed.). Barnsley, S. Yorkshire: Leo Cooper. ISBN 978-1-78383-294-1.
  2. ^ "Queen to commission namesake aircraft carrier in three weeks, Defence Secretary announces on flight-deck". Royal Navy. 16 November 2017. from the original on 16 November 2017. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  3. ^ "Work begins on aircraft carriers". BBC News. 7 July 2009. Retrieved 11 March 2011.
  4. ^ a b Allison, George (4 March 2018). "Royal Navy press team confirm which monarch HMS Queen Elizabeth is named for". UK Defence Journal. from the original on 6 March 2018. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  5. ^ "Queen Elizabeth's veterans Pride in Britain's new carrier". Royal Navy. 3 July 2014. from the original on 23 January 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  6. ^ a b c d "Key facts about the Queen Elizabeth class" (PDF). Aircraft Carrier Alliance. (PDF) from the original on 28 July 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  7. ^ "Further Military Appointments for Members of the Royal Family". The Royal Family. 11 August 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  8. ^ a b Pocock, Chris (18 July 2014). "British Carrier Remains Controversial". Aviation International News Online. from the original on 5 July 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  9. ^ . Royal Navy. Archived from the original on 10 May 2008. Retrieved 21 May 2008.
  10. ^ "HMS Queen Elizabeth". Royal Navy. from the original on 7 December 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  11. ^ a b "Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier: A Guide". UK Defence Journal. 2 January 2017. from the original on 3 July 2017. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  12. ^ . Royal Navy. Archived from the original on 10 August 2013. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  13. ^ Allison, George (6 December 2016). "What will the Queen Elizabeth class carriers carry?". UK Defence Journal. from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
  14. ^ Hankinson, Andrew (19 March 2017). "Replacing the Invincibles: Inside the Royal Navy's controversial £6.2 billion warships". Wired UK. from the original on 4 September 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  15. ^ a b c d Osborne, Anthony (11 September 2013). . Aviation Week. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
  16. ^ a b c d e Hargreaves, Richard (December 2013). "Asset management". Navy News. p. 8. from the original on 3 January 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
  17. ^ a b "Close-in defence for the Royal Navy's aircraft carriers". Navy Lookout.com. 28 April 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  18. ^ "In focus: the Fleet Solid Support ship design". Navy Lookout. 28 February 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  19. ^ Allison, George (24 July 2017). "HMS Queen Elizabeth exceeds stated maximum speed on trials". UK Defence Journal.
  20. ^ Allison, George (9 February 2018). "What kind of aircraft and how many of them will HMS Queen Elizabeth carry?". UK Defence Journal. from the original on 16 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  21. ^ "Queen Elizabeth Due To Set Sail From Rosyth today". BBC News. 26 June 2017. from the original on 26 June 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  22. ^ "Commanding the carrier – a brief history of HMS Queen Elizabeth's captains". Navy Lookout. 21 January 2020. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  23. ^ "Royal Navy Appoints First Captain of HMS Queen Elizabeth". Royal Navy. 27 February 2014. from the original on 6 March 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  24. ^ "Portsmouth Naval Base facts". Royal Navy. from the original on 24 February 2008. Retrieved 11 December 2008.
  25. ^ "Fleet Solid Support Ships: Procurement". Hansard. 9 July 2020. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  26. ^ "MOD confirms carrier order". BBC News. 25 July 2007. from the original on 11 January 2009. Retrieved 11 December 2008.
  27. ^ a b c (PDF). House of Commons Defence Committee. 15 October 2010. p. 7 and fig 3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 November 2013.
  28. ^ "House of Commons Hansard Debates for 6 November 2013 (pt 0001)". UK Parliament. 6 November 2013. from the original on 13 December 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
  29. ^ (PDF). HM Government. 19 October 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 December 2010. Retrieved 19 October 2010.
  30. ^ "Cammell Laird wins £50m Royal Navy warship contract". Liverpool Echo. 25 January 2010. from the original on 29 September 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
  31. ^ . Ministry of Defence. 26 February 2010. Archived from the original on 9 November 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2010.
  32. ^ . Navy News. Archived from the original on 12 May 2012.
  33. ^ "Huge carrier block arrives in Rosyth". Navy News. 22 August 2011. from the original on 7 April 2012. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  34. ^ . Royal Navy. 12 November 2012. Archived from the original on 14 November 2012.
  35. ^ . Aircraft Carrier Alliance. 25 September 2017. Archived from the original on 21 March 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  36. ^ "Queen names new Royal Navy aircraft carrier in Rosyth". BBC News. 4 July 2014. from the original on 4 July 2014. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
  37. ^ a b c Osborne, Tony (17 July 2014). "U.K. Carrier Floated for the First Time". Aviation Week. from the original on 30 July 2014. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
  38. ^ Hirst, James (31 January 2017). "'Series Of Technical Issues' Behind HMS Queen Elizabeth Delays". Forces.net. from the original on 3 April 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  39. ^ "Navy's smallest ship paves way for maiden voyage of its largest". Royal Navy. 2 September 2016. from the original on 5 September 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  40. ^ "HMS Queen Elizabeth sets sail from Rosyth for sea trials". BBC News. 27 June 2017. from the original on 26 June 2017. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
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Bibliography Edit

  • Terrill, Chris (2022). How to Build an Aircraft Carrier: The Incredible Story of the Men and Women Who Brought Britain's Biggest Warship to Life. London: Penguin UK. ISBN 9780241400104.

External links Edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08).
  • "HMS Queen Elizabeth". Royal Navy.

October 14, 2023
queen, elizabeth, other, ships, with, same, name, queen, elizabeth, queen, elizabeth, lead, ship, queen, elizabeth, class, aircraft, carriers, fleet, flagship, royal, navy, capable, carrying, aircraft, including, fixed, wing, rotary, wing, autonomous, vehicles. For other ships with the same name see HMS Queen Elizabeth HMS Queen Elizabeth is the lead ship of the Queen Elizabeth class of aircraft carriers and the Fleet Flagship of the Royal Navy Capable of carrying 60 aircraft including fixed wing rotary wing and autonomous vehicles 20 she is named in honour of the first HMS Queen Elizabeth a World War I era super dreadnought which in turn was named after Queen Elizabeth I The carrier Queen Elizabeth carries her namesake ship s honours as well as her Tudor rose adorned crest and motto 4 HMS Queen Elizabeth February 2018HistoryUnited KingdomNameQueen ElizabethNamesakeElizabeth I 4 OperatorRoyal NavyOrdered20 May 2008BuilderAircraft Carrier Alliance at Rosyth DockyardCostProgramme cost 6 1 billion 8 Unit cost 3 billion b Laid down7 July 2009 3 Launched17 July 2014Sponsored byElizabeth II Charles III 7 Christened4 July 2014Commissioned7 December 2017 2 In service2020 6 HomeportHMNB PortsmouthIdentificationPennant number R08 Deck code Q IMO number 4907892 ITU callsign GQLZ BFPO Number 365 BFPO Postcode BF1 4LGMottoSemper Eadem Always the Same 5 Honours andawardsDardanelles 1915 16 Crete 1941 Sabang 1944 Burma 1944 45 a StatusIn active serviceBadgeGeneral characteristicsClass and typeQueen Elizabeth class aircraft carrierTypeAircraft supercarrierDisplacement65 000 tonnes 64 000 long tons 72 000 short tons 10 Length284 m 932 ft 12 Beam39 m 128 ft waterline 73 m 240 ft overallDraught11 m 36 ft 9 Decks9 decks below the flight deckPropulsionGE Integrated electric propulsion powered by two Rolls Royce Marine 36 MW MT30 gas turbine alternators and four 10 MW diesel engines 11 Speed25 knots 46 km h 29 mph tested to 32 knots 59 km h 37 mph 19 Range10 000 nautical miles 19 000 km 6 Boats amp landing craft carried2x 36 man passenger transport boats 2x Pacific 24 RHIBsCapacity1 600 16 Troops250 16 Complement679 15 Sensors and processing systemsS1850M long range radar Type 997 Artisan 3D medium range radar Ultra Electronics Series 2500 Electro Optical System EOS Armament3 x Phalanx CIWS 11 4 x 30mm DS30M Mk2 guns for but not with 17 6 x Miniguns 6 retired in 2023 and replaced by Browning 50 caliber heavy machine guns 18 Aircraft carriedPlanned carrier air wing of 24 to 36 F 35B Lightning IIs and 14 helicopters for the ship s first deployment in 2021 65 aircraft carried at surge capacity 13 14 F 35B Lightning II Chinook Apache AH MK1 Merlin HM2 and HC4 Wildcat AH1 and HMA2 Merlin Crowsnest AEWAviation facilitiesHangar below deck Two aircraft lifts Refuelling and re arming facilities Ski jumpShe began sea trials in June 2017 21 was commissioned on 7 December 2017 and entered service in 2020 Her first seagoing commanding officer was Commodore Jerry Kyd who was appointed in 2014 but did not take command until May 2016 22 having previously commanded the carriers Ark Royal and Illustrious 23 The ship is designed to operate V STOL aircraft The air wing will typically consist of F 35B Lightning II multirole fighters and Merlin helicopters for airborne early warning and anti submarine warfare The design emphasises flexibility with accommodation for 250 Royal Marines and the ability to support them with attack helicopters and large troop transports such as Chinooks She is the second Royal Navy vessel to bear the name Queen Elizabeth and is based at HMNB Portsmouth 24 Queen Elizabeth will deploy as the central part of a UK Carrier Strike Group with escorts and support ships in order to deliver carrier enabled power projection 25 Contents 1 Design and construction 1 1 Naming ceremony 1 2 Sea trials 2 Operational history 2 1 Westlant 18 2 2 Post Westlant 18 2 3 Westlant 19 2 4 Post Westlant 19 2 5 Carrier Strike Group 21 2 6 Carrier Strike Deployment 23 3 Aircraft 4 Passenger transfer boats 5 Weapons systems 5 1 Munitions handling 6 Affiliations 6 1 Freedom of Entry 7 See also 8 References 8 1 Footnotes 8 2 Notes 8 3 Bibliography 9 External linksDesign and construction EditOn 25 July 2007 Defence Secretary Des Browne announced the order for two new carriers 26 At the time of approval the first carrier was expected to enter service in July 2015 and the budget was 4 085 billion for two ships 27 The financial crisis led to a political decision in December 2008 to slow production delaying Queen Elizabeth until May 2016 This added 1 56 billion to the cost 27 By March 2010 the budget was estimated at 5 9 billion 27 and in November 2013 the contract was renegotiated with a budget of 6 2 billion 28 The in service date was further extended to 2020 in the Strategic Defence and Security Review in October 2010 29 Construction of Queen Elizabeth began in 2009 The assembly took place in the Firth of Forth at Rosyth Dockyard from nine blocks built in six UK shipyards BAE Systems Surface Ships in Glasgow Babcock at Appledore Babcock at Rosyth A amp P Tyne in Hebburn BAE at Portsmouth and Cammell Laird flight decks at Birkenhead 30 31 Two of the lower main blocks together weighing more than 6 000 tonnes and forming part of the base of the ship were assembled and joined into one piece on 30 June 2011 32 On 16 August 2011 the 8 000 tonne Lower Block 03 of Queen Elizabeth left BAE Systems Surface Ships Govan shipyard in Glasgow on a large ocean going barge Travelling 600 miles 970 km around the northern coast of Scotland the block arrived at Rosyth on the evening of 20 August 2011 33 On 28 October 2012 an 11 000 tonne section of the carrier began a lengthy journey around the south coast of England avoiding bad weather from the shipbuilding hall at Govan to the Rosyth dockyard it arrived on 21 November 34 The forward island was constructed at BAE Portsmouth and attached on 14 March 2013 the aft island was attached in June 2013 The ski jump was added in November 2013 16 leaving just the lifts and radar to be lifted into place 16 By September 2013 Queen Elizabeth was 80 complete internally 15 The carrier is three times the size of the Invincible class and has the ability to carry approximately three times as many aircraft Despite this Queen Elizabeth has marginally fewer crew than the Invincible class The ship has two superstructures or islands one for navigation and ship s operations and the other for flight control and aerial operations The islands can take on each other s function if one is incapacitated 35 Naming ceremony Edit See also Ships christened by Queen Elizabeth II nbsp Queen Elizabeth alongside Illustrious on the day of her naming ceremonyQueen Elizabeth was christened at Rosyth on 4 July 2014 by Queen Elizabeth II who said that the warship marks a new phase in our naval history Instead of smashing the traditional bottle of Champagne on the hull she used a bottle of whisky from the Bowmore distillery on Islay The ceremony was attended by Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh the Lord High Admiral Admiral George Zambellas First Sea Lord senior naval officers from the United States and France and by politicians including David Cameron and Gordon Brown the Prime Minister and his immediate predecessor and Alex Salmond the First Minister of Scotland The official piece of music HMS Queen Elizabeth March composed by WO2 Bandmaster John Morrish was performed at the naming ceremony by the Band of HM Royal Marines Scotland This piece of music is a competition winning march chosen by the Carrier Alliance Group performed and recorded by the Royal Marines Massed Bands The ceremony also featured a fly past by the Red Arrows and a second comprising Royal Navy Royal Air Force and British Army helicopters HMS Illustrious was berthed adjacent to Queen Elizabeth during the ceremony 36 The ship was floated out of dry dock on the morning of 17 July 2014 37 Fitting out was completed at the end of 2015 and the crew moved aboard in May 2016 citation needed Sea trials Edit nbsp Queen Elizabeth at sea on 28 June two days after her departure from Rosyth in company with frigates Sutherland foreground and Iron Duke background Sea trials were planned beginning in March 2017 with delivery expected in May 2017 16 37 but technical issues delayed her trials 38 Prior to her departure from Rosyth an extensive survey was carried out of the Firth of Forth by Gleaner and 42 Regiment Royal Engineers to gather information on the tides the depth of the river bed and the height of the three river crossings Forth Bridge Forth Road Bridge and Queensferry Crossing This was necessary as the most recent data available were 60 years old 39 Queen Elizabeth sailed on 26 June 2017 to undergo sea trials 40 41 The first stage of the operation was to move the ship from inside the fitting out basin via one of the access gates into the Firth of Forth itself before taking her under the three Forth bridge crossings 42 Once this was accomplished the ship took to the open sea off the east coast of Scotland to undertake the first set of trials including handling and speed tests During this period Queen Elizabeth was accompanied by a pair of Type 23 frigates Sutherland and Iron Duke acting as escorts 43 The first aircraft to land on the ship was a Merlin HM 2 helicopter of 820 Naval Air Squadron on 3 July 44 Queen Elizabeth arrived at her first stopover at Invergordon where the ship was fuelled and provisioned At this point inspections of the hull were carried out 45 This opportunity allowed defect rectification to be carried out prior to the ship returning to sea nbsp A pair of Super Hornets from USS George H W Bush overfly Queen Elizabeth during Exercise Saxon Warrior in 2017On 8 August 2017 Queen Elizabeth diverted from her sea trials to rendezvous with the ships engaged in Exercise Saxon Warrior this allowed for a photo exercise in company with the American Nimitz class aircraft carrier USS George H W Bush and her Carrier Strike Group CSG comprising USS Donald Cook USS Philippine Sea HMS Iron Duke HMS Westminster and HNoMS Helge Ingstad 46 Queen Elizabeth was scheduled to return to Rosyth at the end of July for rectification work based on the results of the ship s first sea trials before putting to sea for a second time to undergo a series of mission system tests prior to being handed over to the Royal Navy 47 This plan was abandoned and she instead steered for her home port Portsmouth 48 nbsp HMS Queen Elizabeth sailing into her home port of Portsmouth for the first time Queen Elizabeth arrived at HMNB Portsmouth for the first time on 16 August 2017 and berthed at the newly renamed Princess Royal Jetty formerly Middle Slip Jetty 49 On 30 October 2017 the ship departed Portsmouth for the first time for the second phase of her sea trials off the south and south west coasts of England 50 For part of this second period of sea trials she was accompanied by the Type 45 destroyer Dragon 51 Queen Elizabeth returned to Portsmouth on 21 November 2017 to prepare for her official commissioning ceremony which was held on 7 December 2017 52 53 Following the ship s commissioning she underwent a period of defect correction in Portsmouth one instance was a leak through a seal in one of the propeller shafts which the Royal Navy stated was not serious enough to keep Queen Elizabeth from her planned programme 54 55 Operational history EditOn 2 February 2018 Queen Elizabeth sailed from Portsmouth for a second time for a six week deployment to undergo the first phases of operational training initially the ship was scheduled to head into the Western Approaches to undertake her initial Operational Sea Training OST programme Once complete Queen Elizabeth was then taken into the North Atlantic for both heavy weather testing and operations to begin helicopter certification including with Merlin Mk2 and Mk3 and Chinook helicopters During this deployment the ship made her first overseas port visit stopping over in Gibraltar 56 from 9 to 12 February 57 During this the ship also began initial amphibious assault trials with Royal Marines from 42 Commando embarked to simulate an air assault scenario 58 Queen Elizabeth was also scheduled to undergo a first replenishment at sea from RFA Tidespring although the actual replenishment had to be abandoned due to bad weather the rendezvous allowed both ships the opportunity to simulate the scenario in detail 59 Queen Elizabeth returned to Portsmouth on 27 February 2018 berthing at Princess Royal Jetty 60 On 2 March 2018 in Portsmouth Harbour Queen Elizabeth successfully tested her port side Marine Evacuation System MES a series of bright orange inflatable escape chutes and rafts 61 Queen Elizabeth departed Portsmouth for a third time on 10 June 2018 62 heading to the coasts of Cornwall for a second phase of helicopter flight trials After the trials were completed Queen Elizabeth headed for home and performed her first replenishment at sea RAS refuelling operation with Tidespring on 21 June 2018 in the English Channel 63 then returned to Portsmouth on 23 June 2018 64 On return from the initial OST and helicopter certification work further work was undertaken to prepare the ship for the operation of fixed wing aircraft in conjunction with regular maintenance and installation of her final weapons fit nbsp Queen Elizabeth in Portsmouth September 2017Westlant 18 Edit Queen Elizabeth s first significant deployment took place during autumn 2018 when the ship travelled across the Atlantic to begin flying trials with her fixed wing aircraft Although the programme covered a range of areas including the continued workup of the Commander UK Carrier Strike Group and his staff embarked for a deployment or the first time and small scale exercises to test the ship s ability to land troops in the secondary amphibious role the primary purpose was the first phase of fixed wing flying trials involving the F 35B over two separate periods of approximately 3 4 weeks each starting in mid September utilising a pair of the instrumented development aircraft from VX 23 the US Navy s air testing unit at NAS Patuxent River The testing programme saw the first launch of an F 35 from a ski jump at sea the F 35B has operated from the US Navy s assault ships but these are not fitted with ski jumps and the first demonstration of the shipborne rolling vertical landing technique In addition to the F 35 trials Queen Elizabeth also began qualifications for types of aircraft operated by the US armed forces including the V 22 Osprey As part of the deployment the ship made her first overseas port visit to New York City in October in between layovers at Naval Station Norfolk some operations in the Caribbean possible to test the ship s hot weather performance as well as being on hand if needed for any disaster relief operations during the hurricane season Queen Elizabeth was scheduled to return to the UK in December 37 65 66 67 68 nbsp Queen Elizabeth arriving at Mayport following her Atlantic crossing On 18 August 2018 Queen Elizabeth sailed from Portsmouth on what was termed as Westlant 18 carrying three Merlin Mk2 helicopters of 820 NAS Later on 20 August 2018 three additional Merlin Mk4 helicopters from 845 NAS were embarked to the ship 69 Queen Elizabeth was then met by HMS Monmouth to form a carrier group 70 On 3 September 2018 Monmouth s Wildcat HMA2 helicopter became the first of its type to land aboard Queen Elizabeth 71 On 5 September 2018 the two ships arrived at Naval Station Mayport in north east Florida for a period of replenishment 72 The ships remained in Florida for eight days before departing for the planned trip northwards to US Naval Station Norfolk 73 During the transit north she was to undertake an amphibious assault exercise off the coast of South Carolina using its Merlin Mk4 helicopters and Royal Marines of 42 Commando However due to the effects of Hurricane Florence this exercise was cancelled and the group instead sailed south Monmouth headed to waters off The Bahamas which acted as a windbreak while Queen Elizabeth skirted around the south of the hurricane zone The group eventually arrived at Norfolk on 17 September During the period alongside at Norfolk Queen Elizabeth embarked a further 200 personnel of the F 35B Integrated Test Force to undertake the testing and analysis of the two F 35B aircraft to be used during the initial set of flying trials 73 On 25 September 2018 two US owned F 35B test aircraft based at Naval Air Station Patuxent River flew out to meet Queen Elizabeth off the New Jersey coast After refuelling Commander Gray then achieved the first F 35B take off from Queen Elizabeth using the ski jump ramp 74 During the initial F 35B trials Queen Elizabeth also began trials for the UK Carrier Group staff when the ship along with Monmouth formed a task group with the US Navy destroyer USS Lassen 75 and USNS Supply a fast combat support ship which performed RAS with Queen Elizabeth and Monmouth on 1 October 2018 76 During October the first instances of cross decking took place when a US Navy MH 53E Sea Dragon helicopter and a US Marine Corps tiltrotor MV 22B Osprey landed on board 77 78 The first shipborne rolling vertical landing SRVL by an F 35 was undertaken on 14 October this was also the first operational demonstration of the technique on a ship at sea and is planned as the primary method of recovering fixed wing aircraft aboard the Queen Elizabeth class 79 On 19 October 2018 Queen Elizabeth arrived in New York City for a planned seven day visit Kyd remarked we are the biggest carrier to go in there for about 50 years as the U S Navy s nuclear powered aircraft carriers are forbidden from making a port of call in New York City 80 She dropped anchor near Ellis and Liberty Islands in Upper New York Bay 81 During the ship s stopover she played host to a forum hosted by Gavin Williamson the UK Secretary of State for Defence on the future of cyber security 82 as well as an international trade day hosted by Liam Fox the Secretary of State for International Trade 83 On 19 November 2018 another milestone was met with a F 35B test pilot landing on the ship facing the stern instead of the bow 84 Post Westlant 18 Edit Following the ship s return from Westlant 18 Queen Elizabeth began a maintenance period in early 2019 that saw the installation of the remainder of the ship s self defence armament with two Phalanx CIWS mounts fitted 85 86 This was followed by the ship s return to Rosyth to allow it to be dry docked for its first scheduled hull inspection 87 The remaining Phalanx CIWS and four DS30M mounts will be fitted during 2020 After further fixed wing aircraft trials in 2019 using British F 35 aircraft over UK waters followed then by operational testing 88 Queen Elizabeth was expected to reach initial operational capability by 2020 now with Commodore Stephen Moorhouse in command 89 Gavin Williamson announced that the ship s first deployment will be to the Mediterranean the Middle East and the Pacific region the last to counter China s territorial claims in the South China Sea 90 91 On 10 January 2019 Jane s Defence Weekly reported that F 35 aircraft of the United Kingdom would join the F 35Bs of the US Marine Corps in embarking Queen Elizabeth for the ship s first operational cruise in 2021 92 Westlant 19 Edit nbsp Queen Elizabeth operating with British F 35 aircraft for the first time October 2019 nbsp Queen Elizabeth and her Carrier Strike Group during Exercise Westlant 19 Queen Elizabeth departed for her second WESTLANT cruise on 30 August 2019 93 This deployment was to undertake the second stage of fixed wing flight testing and would see the F 35B employed as a full part of the ship s air group with 617 Squadron due to embark for the first time to operate alongside 17 Squadron the type s evaluation unit 94 The deployment will also see the first full up operation of the UK Carrier Strike Group with Queen Elizabeth to be accompanied by HMS Northumberland and HMS Dragon supported by RFA Tideforce 95 On 13 October 2019 F 35Bs from 17 Squadron landed on HMS Queen Elizabeth for the first time 96 HMS Queen Elizabeth arrived home in Portsmouth on 4 December 2019 On 16 December 2019 the first ever F 35B launch in British territorial waters took place when an aircraft of that model took off from the flight deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth in Portsmouth Harbour The aircraft registration ZM148 BK14 safely returned to its base at RAF Marham on the same day ZM148 BK14 had developed a fault during Westlant19 and was retained aboard Queen Elizabeth for repair 97 Post Westlant 19 Edit HMS Queen Elizabeth departed Portsmouth in January 2020 for flight trials in UK waters for the first time and was joined by British owned F 35B Lightning aircraft from RAF No 207 Squadron 98 99 In June 2020 F 35Bs from 617 Squadron landed on Queen Elizabeth for Operational Sea Training to prepare for Initial Operating Capability Maritime by the end of 2020 100 101 The summer 2020 period was spent in harbour undergoing preparation work for September when the ship took part in a major carrier group exercise that was run as part of Exercise Joint Warrior with the Queen Elizabeth accompanied not just by ships of the Royal Navy but also an escort from both the US and Dutch navies as well as two squadrons of F 35Bs one each from both the RAF and USMC 102 Following the conclusion of Joint Warrior the ship returned to port to have the remainder of its equipment fitted while the joint UK US air group undertook a further exercise from RAF Marham Initial Operating Capability was announced on 4 January 2021 103 and on 27 January the ship assumed the role of Fleet Flagship of the Royal Navy taking over from amphibious transport dock HMS Albion 104 105 Carrier Strike Group 21 Edit Main article United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group 21 nbsp F 35B of 617 Squadron takes off during Carrier Sea Training in 2020 nbsp HMS Queen Elizabeth alongside USS America and JS Ise on 24 August 2021 Between 7 and 21 May the Carrier Strike Group took part in Exercise Strike Warrior as part of Exercise Joint Warrior 21 1 citation needed Once the carrier strike group finished Exercise Strike Warrior it made its way back to HMNB Portsmouth for final preparations before finally departing on 23 or 24 May On 21 May Prime Minister Boris Johnson toured the ship 106 Queen Elizabeth II visited the ship on 22 May 107 Initially the group took part in joint exercises with NATO partners in the Eastern Atlantic before entering the Mediterranean Sea where it more conducted exercises with Mediterranean NATO allies including with the French carrier Charles de Gaulle 108 in the dual carrier exercise named Exercise Gallic Strike 109 before entering port at Souda Bay for a logistic stop 110 A Type 45 destroyer HMS Defender and HMNLS Evertsen detached from the group to enter the Black Sea 111 a visit that was already planned prior to the heightened Russian activity in the region 112 On 7 July 2021 the group transited the Suez Canal to enter the Indian Ocean where they conducted joint exercises with the Indian Navy 113 before proceeding past Singapore without stopping to enter the disputed South China Sea region to conduct freedom of navigation exercises in the area with the US Navy citation needed Subsequently the group will pay a visit to South Korea and then conduct exercises with the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force and United States Navy around the islands of Japan 114 On 18 June 2021 Queen Elizabeth began combat operations against ISIS supporting Operation Inherent Resolve F 35B aircraft from 617 Squadron RAF and US Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 VMFA 211 launched strikes from Queen Elizabeth to attack ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria 115 116 An outbreak of COVID 19 was reported on Queen Elizabeth and her escort ships on 14 July 2021 The British Defence Secretary stated that the outbreak was being managed and that all personnel in the Carrier Strike Group had been vaccinated against COVID 19 Mitigation measures were also in place aboard the warships including the use of masks social distancing and a Track and Trace system to monitor personnel movement The deployment proceeded as planned to Japan 117 On 26 July 2021 Queen Elizabeth and her escort ships conducted a passage exercise with three ships from the Republic of Singapore Navy RSN in the South China Sea This is the first time that a Royal Navy Carrier Strike Group has conducted military exercises with the RSN 118 On 16 November 2021 one of the carrier s F 35B fighters ZM152 from 617 Squadron crashed during operations in the Mediterranean The pilot was able to eject safely 119 Carrier Strike Deployment 23 Edit In September 2023 the carrier embarked 8 F 35B fighters from 617 Squadron 5 Merlin helicopters from 820 Squadron and 3 Wildcat helicopters from 847 Squadron for its Operation FIREDRAKE deployment in northern European waters Of five Merlins deployed two were in the AEW configuration The carrier was escorted by HMS Diamond HMS Kent and RFA Tideforce 120 Aircraft EditThe two ships of the Queen Elizabeth class are each expected to be capable of carrying over forty aircraft with a normal maximum load of thirty six F 35s and four helicopters 121 but with a theoretical surge capacity of up to 72 aircraft The 2010 SDSR anticipated the routine peacetime deployment of twelve F 35Bs but a typical warload will be 24 F 35Bs and some helicopters 15 These could be a Maritime Force Protection package of nine anti submarine Merlin HM2 and five Merlin Crowsnest for airborne early warning alternatively a littoral manoeuvre package could include a mix of Royal Navy Commando Helicopter Force Merlin HC4 Wildcat AH1 RAF Chinooks and Army Air Corps Apaches 15 In 2022 it was reported that initially five Merlins will be equipped with Crowsnest and three of these will normally be assigned to the high readiness aircraft carrier 122 The hangars are designed for CH 47 Chinook operations without blade folding and for the V 22 Osprey tiltrotor whilst the aircraft lifts can accommodate two Chinooks with unfolded blades 123 Passenger transfer boats EditClass overviewBuildersAlnmaritecOperatorsRoyal NavyPlanned4Completed4General characteristicsLength13 1 mBeam3 6 mDraught0 6 mPropulsion2 Cummins QSC8 3 600 bhp 450 kW diesel engines 2 x Ultrajet UJ377Speed18 kn 33 km h Complement2The two ships of the Queen Elizabeth class can each carry up to three passenger transfer boats PTBs made by Blyth based company Alnmaritec 124 Each PTB carries 36 passengers and two crew to operate the vessel The boat is 13 1 m long and davit launched To enable the craft to fit into the docking area the navigation and radar masts are fitted with Linak actuators so that they can be lowered automatically from the command console The enclosed cabin is heated and there is a set of heads forward 125 The first boat is named Swordfish after the World War II era Fairey Swordfish torpedo bomber 126 The second PTB is named Buccaneer after the Blackburn Buccaneer maritime strike aircraft 127 The third is named Sea Vixen after the de Havilland Sea Vixen naval fighter 128 The fourth is named Sea Harrier after the V STOL British Aerospace Sea Harrier citation needed Weapons systems EditDefensive weapons include the Phalanx Close In Weapons System for anti aircraft and anti missile defence and 30mm Automated Small Calibre Guns fitted for but not with and not carried as of 2021 17 and initially Miniguns for use against fast attack craft 6 In 2023 the Minigun was retired from Royal Navy service and replaced by Browning 50 caliber heavy machine guns 129 She would be escorted into high risk areas by the Type 45 destroyer which was made specially to fulfil this role In lower risk situations frigates or even patrol vessels may be used instead It will carry 4 miniguns and 8 general purpose machine guns Munitions handling Edit Incorporated into the first two blocks is a sophisticated handling and deployment system for air weapons known as the Highly Mechanised Weapon Handling System HMWHS with the aim of achieving a sortie generation rate which is about six times faster than any previous Royal Navy aircraft carrier The system requires only 50 people and could be operated with as few as 12 in an emergency it is estimated that 160 would be needed to produce the same efficiency with conventional equipment The system moves munitions on pallets by means of remotely controlled electric vehicles and lifts 130 Affiliations EditCity of London 131 Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity 132 Heart of Midlothian F C 133 Rolls Royce Enthusiasts Club 134 Oxford URNU 135 Sea Cadets London Eastern District 136 Freedom of Entry Edit Town of Wantage granted on Monday 14 October 2019 137 See also EditFuture of the Royal Navy HMS Prince of WalesReferences EditFootnotes Edit These honours were won by the ship s predecessor 1 As of November 2013 the official project cost for the two carriers is 6 2bn 8 Notes Edit Thomas David A 1998 Battles and Honours of the Royal Navy Kindle ed Barnsley S Yorkshire Leo Cooper ISBN 978 1 78383 294 1 Queen to commission namesake 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External links Edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to HMS Queen Elizabeth R08 HMS Queen Elizabeth Royal Navy Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title HMS Queen Elizabeth R08 amp oldid 1175022694, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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