HMS Prince of Wales (R09)

Last updated

U.S. Navy Lockheed Martin F-35B of VX-23 lands aboard HMS Prince of Wales (R09) in the Atlantic Ocean, 11 October 2023 (231011-O-ZB537-3376).JPG
HMS Prince of Wales, October 2023
History
Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svgUnited Kingdom
NameHMS Prince of Wales
NamesakeHRH Prince of Wales [1]
Operator Royal Navy
Ordered20 May 2008
Builder Aircraft Carrier Alliance
Launched21 December 2017
Sponsored by Queen Camilla
Christened8 September 2017
Commissioned10 December 2019 [2]
Homeport HMNB Portsmouth
Identification
Motto Ich Dien ("I Serve")
Honours and
awards
StatusIn active service [2]
General characteristics
Class and type Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier
Displacement65,000 tonnes (64,000 long tons; 72,000 short tons) [4]
Length284 m (932 ft) [5]
Beam
  • 39 m (128 ft)(waterline)
  • 73 m (240 ft) overall
Draught11 metres [6]
Decks
  • 9 decks below the flight deck
  • 16,000 square metres
Speed25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph), tested to 32 knots (59 km/h; 37 mph) [7]
Range10,000 nautical miles (19,000 km)
Boats & landing
craft carried
Capacity1,600
Troops250
Complement679
Sensors and
processing systems
Armament
Aircraft carried
Aviation facilities
  • Hangar below deck
  • Two aircraft lifts
  • Refuelling and rearming facilities
  • Ski jump

HMS Prince of Wales (R09) is the second Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier and the Fleet Flagship of the Royal Navy. Unlike most large aircraft carriers, Prince of Wales is not fitted with catapults and arrestor wires, and is instead designed to operate STOVL aircraft; the ship is currently planned to carry up to 48 F-35B Lightning II stealth multirole fighters and Merlin helicopters for airborne early warning and anti-submarine warfare, although in surge conditions the class is capable of supporting 70+ F-35B. [16] The design emphasises flexibility, with accommodation for 250 Royal Marines and the ability to support them with attack helicopters and troop transports up to and larger than Chinook size. [18]

Contents

The completed Prince of Wales began sea trials in September 2019 and first arrived at her new home base of HMNB Portsmouth in November 2019. [19] The ship was formally commissioned into the Royal Navy at a ceremony in Portsmouth on 10 December 2019. [2] The ship's commissioning date marked the 78th anniversary of the sinking of her predecessor, a World War II era battleship which was lost in action along with HMS Repulse in 1941. She is the eighth Royal Navy ship to have the name HMS Prince of Wales. Construction of the ship began in 2011 at Rosyth Dockyard and ended with launch on 21 December 2017. She was handed over to the Royal Navy in 2019. [20]

When on operations, Prince of Wales will form a central part of a UK Carrier Strike Group, comprising escorts and support ships, with the aim to facilitate carrier-enabled power projection. [21]

Design and construction

Prince of Wales under construction at Rosyth Dockyard in December 2014 HMS Prince of Wales 1 December 2014.jpg
Prince of Wales under construction at Rosyth Dockyard in December 2014
The bow section of Prince of Wales in December 2014 HMS Prince of Wales Bow 1 December 2014.jpg
The bow section of Prince of Wales in December 2014

Much like her sister ship Queen Elizabeth , the original 2008 design of Prince of Wales envisaged flying F-35B Lightning II Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) jets from a ski-jump ramp. However, in May 2010, the government published its long-awaited Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR), which stated that Prince of Wales would be converted to a Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR) configuration, operating the F-35C. An 18-month study commenced into the conversion but ultimately found that it would cause severe cost implications and delays. In May 2012, the government announced it would be reversing its decision to convert Prince of Wales and that the ship would be built to its original STOVL design. [22] [23]

The SDSR also stipulated that the UK only required one aircraft carrier, however penalty clauses in the contract meant that cancelling Prince of Wales would be more expensive than building her. Instead, the government planned to construct Prince of Wales and then either place her into extended readiness or have her sold to an ally. [24] Contrary to this, in 2012, the Royal Navy published its annual yearbook, titled A Global Force 2012/13, which stated that both carriers are "likely to be commissioned and may even be capable of operating together". [25]

Prince of Wales was assembled at Rosyth from 52 blocks built by six shipyards around the UK. Construction began on 26 May 2011 with the first steel being cut at Govan shipyard by Defence Secretary Liam Fox. [26] In September 2014, Prince of Wales reached a final assembly phase when hull blocks LB02 and LB03 were floated into 1 Dock of Rosyth dockyard, Scotland. [27]

During the 2014 NATO Summit in Wales, Prime Minister David Cameron announced that Prince of Wales would be brought into active service, rather than sold off or mothballed. [28] This was later confirmed in the government's 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review. [29]

Prince of Wales alongside in Liverpool in 2020 HMS Prince of Wales (R09) at the River Mersey.jpg
Prince of Wales alongside in Liverpool in 2020

In April 2016, the ship was said to be around 80% structurally complete. [30] On 1 September 2017 HMS Prince of Wales' most senior officer, Captain Ian Groom, confirmed that the carrier was now essential to fulfilling the Royal Navy's 'full carrier strike capability.' [31]

Sea trials

Prince of Wales was formally named on 8 September 2017 at Rosyth dockyard by Queen Camilla (then the Duchess of Rothesay). On 21 December 2017, Prince of Wales was floated out of Rosyth drydock #1 for the first time and manoeuvred to a nearby jetty for fitting-out and further systems integration. [32] [33] [34] A Merlin Mk2 helicopter landed and took off six times on her flight deck on 23 September 2019. [35]

The Prince of Wales was due to commence sea trials in 2019 with a view to being commissioned in late 2019. [34] [36] [37] As such, the ship left the fitting out basin at Rosyth for the first time on 20 September 2019; initially she remained anchored in the Firth of Forth, undertaking initial engine and system tests, and waiting for the tide to allow her to pass under the bridges crossing the firth. [38] HMS Prince of Wales sailed under the Firth of Forth bridges on 22 September 2019 and began sea trials. [39]

On 16 November 2019, Prince of Wales arrived at her home base of Portsmouth for the first time, berthing at Princess Royal Jetty. [40] The ship was formally commissioned into the Royal Navy at a ceremony in Portsmouth on 10 December 2019. [2] She is expected to be fully ready for front-line duties around the globe from 2023. [20]

On 28 February 2020, Prince of Wales arrived in her affiliated city of Liverpool for the first time on a week-long visit. [41]

In May 2020, Prince of Wales experienced flooding which the Royal Navy described as "minor". This was followed by more significant flooding from the fire control system in October 2020 which caused damage to her electrical cabling. She was confined to docks where she remained for almost eight months whilst repairs were made. Her long-planned deployment to the United States to undertake her first F-35B trials was cancelled. [42] During 2020 Prince of Wales was at sea just 30 days, compared to 115 days for Queen Elizabeth. [43] Following repair Prince of Wales departed Portsmouth Naval Base to resume sea trials on 30 April 2021. [44] In October 2021, the Royal Navy declared the ship as fully operational. [45]

Aircraft

809 Naval Air Squadron will be the first Fleet Air Arm squadron to operate the F-35B RAF F-35B.jpg
809 Naval Air Squadron will be the first Fleet Air Arm squadron to operate the F-35B

The two ships of the Queen Elizabeth class are each expected to be capable of carrying forty aircraft, a maximum of 36 Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II stealth multirole fighters and four AgustaWestland Merlin helicopters. [46] The 2010 SDSR anticipated the routine deployment of twelve F-35Bs, but a typical warload will be 24 F-35Bs and some helicopters. [47] 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 potentially include a mix of Royal Navy Commando Helicopter Force Merlin HC4, AgustaWestland Wildcat AH1, RAF Boeing Chinook transports, and Army Air Corps AgustaWestland Apache AH.1 attack helicopters. [47] In 2022, it was reported that initially five Merlins will be equipped with Crowsnest, and that three of these will normally be assigned to the "high readiness" aircraft carrier. [48] As of September 2013 six landing spots are planned, but the deck could be marked out for the operation of ten medium helicopters at once, allowing the lift of a company of 250 troops. [47] The hangars are designed for CH-47 Chinook operations without blade folding and for the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotor, whilst the aircraft lifts can accommodate two Chinooks with unfolded blades. [49]

Passenger/crew transfer boats

The two ships of the Queen Elizabeth class were to each carry four PTBs made by Blyth-based company Alnmaritec. Each 13.1 m (43 ft) long PTB carries 36 passengers and two crew to operate the vessel and is 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. [50]

Subsequently, it was reported that Prince of Wales would carry three of the new Sea-class work boats being procured for various tasks in the Royal Navy. [51] [52]

Weapons systems

Defensive weapons include the Phalanx Close-In Weapons System for anti-aircraft and anti-missile defence and initially Miniguns for use against fast attack craft. [11] In 2023, the Minigun was retired from Royal Navy service and replaced by Browning .50 caliber heavy machine guns. [53] The 30mm Automated Small Calibre Guns are fitted for but not with, and not carried as of 2021. [10]

Replica bell from predecessor

In spring 2019, Merseyside shipbuilder Cammell Laird, who built the ship's predecessor, the King George V-class battleship HMS Prince of Wales (53), and also built sections for both the current ship and HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08), was commissioned to make a replica of the predecessor's bell for the current ship. The original, raised in 2002 and currently residing at the National Museum of the Royal Navy location at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, [54] was surveyed as part of the process.

Cammell Laird were able to contact Utley Offshore in St Helens, the foundry that made the original bell still had the original pattern based on the 1908 Admiralty design. Compared to the bronze or bell metal that is used in most modern ship bells, specially sourced nickel silver was used for authenticity. The engraving was done by Shawcross in Birkenhead, while Cammell Laird shipwrights constructed the hardwood base. Cammell Laird COO Tony Graham presented the finished replica to commanding officer Captain Darren Houston during the ship's week-long visit to Liverpool in March 2020. [55] [56]

Name

The bow section of Prince of Wales is delivered to Rosyth Dockyard in May 2014; the ship's sister Queen Elizabeth is in the dry dock behind Construction of the HMS Queen Elizabeth. MOD 45157301.jpg
The bow section of Prince of Wales is delivered to Rosyth Dockyard in May 2014; the ship's sister Queen Elizabeth is in the dry dock behind

The Queen Elizabeth-class carrier is the eighth HMS Prince of Wales, named after the title traditionally granted to the heir apparent of the British monarch. The name was announced at the same time as that of her sister ship Queen Elizabeth.

The decommissioning of HMS Ark Royal under the SDSR in 2010 led to an unsuccessful campaign for one of the new aircraft carriers to receive that name. [57]

Prince of Wales was formally named on 8 September 2017 at Rosyth Dockyard on the Firth of Forth at Rosyth, Fife, Scotland by the then-Duchess of Rothesay, now Queen Camilla. [32]

Operational history

In May 2020, Prince of Wales experienced flooding which the Royal Navy described as "minor". This was followed by more significant flooding in October 2020 which caused damage to her electrical cabling. [58] Prince of Wales departed Portsmouth Naval Base on sea trials on 30 April 2021. [44] In October 2021, the Royal Navy declared the ship as fully operational. [45]

Prince of Wales participated in an international exercise off the coast of Scotland in October 2021. [45] This involved joint operations with her sister ship HMS Queen Elizabeth. [59]

NATO command ship

On 1 January 2022, Prince of Wales took over the role of command ship for NATO's maritime high readiness force from the French Navy. [60] The ship was intended to spend the next twelve months supporting NATO exercises in the Arctic, Baltic and Mediterranean. Her first exercise in this role was Cold Response 22, a Norwegian-led exercise which was designed to test her crew in this role. [61]

2022 starboard propeller shaft external coupling malfunction

On 27 August 2022 Prince of Wales departed HMNB Portsmouth to undertake training exercises with the US Navy, the Royal Canadian Navy, and United States Marine Corps, and to host the Atlantic Future Forum trade and economic conference in New York. [62] [63] On 29 August after suffering mechanical problems in the UK's South Coast Exercise area, [62] the ship proceeded to anchor in the Solent off the Isle of Wight. [64] It was reported that an external coupling that connects the outer propeller shaft to the drive shaft from the propulsion motors had failed. [65] Rear Admiral Steve Moorhouse, Director of Force Generation, confirmed "significant damage to the shaft and the propeller and some superficial damage to the rudder. There is no damage to the rest of the ship". [66] She arrived in Rosyth for repairs on 12 October 2022, [67] and was originally expected to return to Portsmouth in spring 2023 following completion of repair work. [68] [69] The ship returned to sea for trials after completing repairs on 21 July 2023. [70]

2023 aircraft and UAV trials

A Mojave UAV aboard HMS Prince of Wales; during trials, the aircraft successfully launched and recovered from the ship. Mojave UAV HMS Prince of Wales.jpg
A Mojave UAV aboard HMS Prince of Wales; during trials, the aircraft successfully launched and recovered from the ship.

In September 2023, Prince of Wales began a series of trials with different UAV systems intended for resupply. Once in the Channel the ship’s company will conduct trials with UK-firm W Autonomous Systems to assess the feasibility of drones delivering supplies to Royal Navy vessels at sea – initially flying in up to 100kg of stores. W Autonomous WAS platform is a twin-engine light alloy twin boom aircraft capable of carrying a payload of 100kg up to 1000km. Later in the year, the carrier was expected to operate in US waters for broader trials with platforms including the MV-22B Osprey and Mojave UAV. [71] [72]

On 15 November a General Atomics Mojave unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) took off from and then landed back on board Prince of Wales, with the aircraft carrier situated off the east coast of the United States. This marked a point in time where the Mojave Remotely Piloted Air System (RPAS) drone is the largest uncrewed vehicle to have flown from a non-US Navy carrier. Noted for its short take-off and landing (STOL) capability, the UAV's take-off was conducted at an angle across the flight deck and did not utilise the main ramp. It is expected that the results of these trials will interest many international partners. [73]

Exercise Steadfast Defender 2024

On 12 February 2024, Prince of Wales sailed for Norway to participate in Exercise Steadfast Defender replacing HMS Queen Elizabeth which was suffering from an issue with a propeller shaft coupling preventing her from deploying. She embarked F-35Bs from 617 Squadron and Merlin helicopters from 847 Naval Air Squadron. [74] Prince of Wales returned to HMNB Portsmouth on 26 March. [75]

Affiliations

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ The ship carries the battle honours earned by its predecessors. [3]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fleet Air Arm</span> Aviation arm of the Royal Navy

The Fleet Air Arm (FAA) is the naval aviation component of the United Kingdom's Royal Navy (RN). The FAA is one of five RN fighting arms. As of 2023 it is a primarily helicopter force, though also operating the F-35 Lightning II carrier-based stealth fighter jointly with the Royal Air Force.

<i>Invincible</i>-class aircraft carrier Royal Navy aircraft carrier class

The Invincible class was a class of light aircraft carrier operated by the Royal Navy. Three ships were constructed: HMS Invincible, HMS Illustrious and HMS Ark Royal. The vessels were built as aviation-capable anti-submarine warfare (ASW) platforms to counter the Cold War North Atlantic Soviet submarine threat, and initially embarked Sea Harrier aircraft and Sea King HAS.1 anti-submarine helicopters. With cancellation of the aircraft carriers renewal programme in the 1960s, the three ships became the replacements for Ark Royal and Eagle fleet carriers and the Centaur-class light fleet carriers, and the Royal Navy's sole class of aircraft carrier.

HMS <i>Illustrious</i> (R06) 1982 Invincible-class light aircraft carrier

HMS Illustrious was a light aircraft carrier of the Royal Navy and the second of three Invincible-class ships constructed in the late 1970s and early 1980s. She was the fifth warship and second aircraft carrier to bear the name Illustrious, and was affectionately known to her crew as "Lusty". In 1982, the conflict in the Falklands necessitated that Illustrious be completed and rushed south to join her sister ship HMS Invincible and the veteran carrier HMS Hermes. To this end, she was brought forward by three months for completion at Swan Hunter Shipyard, then commissioned on 20 June 1982 at sea en route to Portsmouth Dockyard to take on board extra stores and crew. She arrived in the Falklands to relieve Invincible on 28 August 1982 in a steam past. Returning to the United Kingdom, she was not formally commissioned into the fleet until 20 March 1983. After her South Atlantic deployment, she was deployed on Operation Southern Watch in Iraq, then Operation Deny Flight in Bosnia during the 1990s and Operation Palliser in Sierra Leone in 2000. An extensive re-fit during 2002 prevented her from involvement in the 2003 Iraq War, but she was returned to service in time to assist British citizens trapped by the 2006 Lebanon War.

HMS <i>Kent</i> (F78) 2000 Type 23 or Duke-class frigate of the Royal Navy

HMS Kent is a Type 23 Duke-class frigate of the Royal Navy, and the twelfth ship to bear the name, although formally she is named after the dukedom rather than the county. Sponsored by Princess Alexandra, The Hon. Lady Ogilvy, Kent was launched on 28 May 1998 and commissioned on 8 June 2000 under the command of then Commander John Clink. She was the first ship to enter Royal Navy service in the 21st century and the first Royal Navy warship with a female Executive Officer, Lt Cdr Vanessa Jane Spiller, appointed in April 2001.

HMS <i>St Albans</i> (F83) 2002 Type 23 or Duke-class frigate of the Royal Navy

HMS St Albans is a Type 23 frigate of the Royal Navy. She is the sixth ship to bear the name and is the sixteenth and final ship in the Duke class of frigates. She is based in Devonport, Plymouth.

RFA <i>Fort Austin</i> 1979 Fort Rosalie-class replenishment ship of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary

RFA Fort Austin is a retired British Fort Rosalie-class dry stores ship of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

<i>Queen Elizabeth</i>-class aircraft carrier Royal Navy aircraft carrier class

The Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers of the United Kingdom's Royal Navy consists of two vessels. The lead ship of her class, HMS Queen Elizabeth, was named on 4 July 2014 in honour of Elizabeth I and was commissioned on 7 December 2017. Her sister ship, HMS Prince of Wales, was launched on 21 December 2017, and was commissioned on 10 December 2019. They form the central components of the UK Carrier Strike Group.

HMS <i>Queen Elizabeth</i> (R08) Royal Navy aircraft carrier and fleet flagship

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, 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.

HMS <i>Daring</i> (D32) 2009 Type 45 or Daring-class air-defence destroyer of the Royal Navy

HMS Daring is the lead ship of the Type 45 or Daring-class air-defence destroyers built for the Royal Navy, and the seventh ship to hold that name. She was launched in 2006 on the Clyde and conducted contractor's sea trials during 2007 and 2008. She was handed over to the Royal Navy in December 2008, entered her base port of Portsmouth for the first time in January 2009 and was formally commissioned on 23 July 2009. As the lead ship of the first destroyer class built for the Royal Navy since the Type 42 in the 1970s, she has attracted significant media and public attention. Her name, crest and motto are a reference to the Roman youth Gaius Mucius Scaevola, famed for his bravery.

HMS <i>Diamond</i> (D34) Royal Navy destroyer

HMS Diamond is the third ship of the Type 45 or Daring-class air-defence guided missile destroyers built for the Royal Navy. She was launched in 2007, and completed her contractor's sea trials and arrived at her base port in 2010. Diamond formally entered service in 2011.

HMS <i>Dragon</i> (D35) 2012 Type 45 or Daring-class air-defence destroyer of the Royal Navy

HMS Dragon is the fourth ship of the Type 45 or Daring-class air-defence destroyers built for the Royal Navy. She was launched in November 2008 and commissioned on 20 April 2012.

HMS <i>Defender</i> (D36) 2013 Type 45 or Daring-class air-defence destroyer of the Royal Navy

HMS Defender is the fifth of the Type 45 or Daring-class air-defence destroyers built for the Royal Navy. She is the eighth ship to bear the name. Construction of Defender began in 2006, and she was launched in 2009. The ship completed her first sea trials in October and November 2011, and was commissioned during March 2013.

In the Royal Navy, the fleet flagship is, in practice, the warship designated as the fleet's most prestigious vessel, currently HMS Prince of Wales.

RFA <i>Tiderace</i> (A137) 2018 Tide-class replenishment tanker of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary

RFA Tiderace is a Tide-class replenishment tanker of the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA). Ordered from DSME in 2012, she was officially named on 1 December 2016 and was accepted by the Ministry of Defence in June 2017. Tiderace entered service on 2 August 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aircraft Carrier Alliance</span>

The Aircraft Carrier Alliance is a partnership of BAE Systems, Babcock International, Thales Group and the Ministry of Defence, together with Rosyth Dockyard, to build the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers for the Royal Navy. Along with Rosyth and BAE Systems' Govan yard, four other shipyards involved in the build process are A&P Tyne, Appledore Shipbuilders, Cammell Laird and HMNB Portsmouth.

HMS <i>Magpie</i> (H130) 2018 inshore and coastal survey ship of the Royal Navy

HMS Magpie is a survey ship of the Royal Navy, intended for use on inshore and coastal survey work. Magpie replaced HMS Gleaner. She was accepted by the RN in May 2018 and commissioned on 28 June 2018.

RFA <i>Tideforce</i> 2019 Tide-class replenishment tanker of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary

RFA Tideforce is a Tide-class replenishment tanker of the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA). Launched in 2017, the ship entered service with the RFA in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UK Carrier Strike Group</span> Formation of the Royal Navy (created 2006)

The UK Carrier Strike Group (UKCSG) is a carrier battle group of the Royal Navy. It has existed in various forms since the mid-2000s. Between 2006 and 2011, the formation centred around the Royal Navy's Invincible-class aircraft carriers until the retirement of their Harrier GR9 strike aircraft in 2011 as a result of the Strategic Defence and Security Review. The UKCSG subsequently returned in February 2015 ahead of the entry into service of the new Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales. The aim of the CSG is to facilitate carrier-enabled power projection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group 21</span> British-led naval force

The United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group 21 (CSG21) was a British-led naval force that was deployed on Operation Fortis from May to December 2021. The Carrier Strike Group is seen as the beginning of the British Government's tilt towards the Indo-Pacific region in terms of defence and foreign policy, that had been announced in March through the Integrated Review. It was the first strike group deployment for the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, and the first operational deployment of the UK Carrier Strike Group since 2011. The deployment was the largest single deployment of F-35 fighter aircraft since the programme started in 2006, and the largest fifth-generation fighter carrier air wing in the world at the time. Furthermore, HMS Queen Elizabeth saw the largest number of personnel embarked since she entered service, and the group contained the largest number of Royal Navy maritime helicopters deployed in over 10 years.

References

  1. ↑ Mohan-Hickson, Matthew (2 September 2020). "How did HMS Prince of Wales get her name? Cost, captain, crew size and where Royal Navy aircraft carrier was built". The News .
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Commissioning day for HMS Prince of Wales". Royal Navy. 10 December 2019. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  3. ↑ Thomas, David A. (1998). Battles and Honours of the Royal Navy (Kindle ed.). Barnsley, S. Yorkshire: Leo Cooper. ISBN   978-1-78383-294-1.
  4. ↑ "Aircraft carriers: Queen Elizabeth class". Royal Navy. Archived from the original on 7 December 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  5. ↑ "Future ships: Queen Elizabeth class". Royal Navy. Archived from the original on 10 August 2013. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
  6. ↑ "Future Aircraft Carrier (CVF)". Ministry of Defence. Archived from the original on 10 May 2008. Retrieved 21 May 2008.
  7. ↑ "HMS Queen Elizabeth exceeds stated maximum speed on trials". ukdefencejournal.org.uk. 24 July 2017. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  8. ↑ "ATLAS ELEKTRONIK UK SEA Class – Delivering an Innovative, Flexible, Cost-effective Solution to the UK MOD". thyssenkrupp-marinesystems.com. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  9. ↑ "In focus: the versatile new workboats being built for the Royal Navy". Navy Lookout. 6 August 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  10. 1 2 "Close-in defence for the Royal Navy's aircraft carriers". NavyLookout.com. 28 April 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  11. 1 2 "Queen Elizabeth class: facts and figures". Royal Navy. Archived from the original on 27 July 2011. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
  12. ↑ "In focus: the Fleet Solid Support ship design". Navy Lookout. 28 February 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  13. ↑ @NavyLookout (17 September 2023). "@NavyLookout .50 cal Heavy Machine Gun replacing Mk44 Mini Gun in RN service" (Tweet). Retrieved 17 September 2023– via Twitter.
  14. ↑ Royal Navy: A Global Force 2012/13 (PDF). Ministry of Defence. p. 86. ISBN   978-1-906940-75-1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 January 2014.
  15. ↑ "What will the Queen Elizabeth class carriers carry?". UK Defence Journal . 6 December 2016. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
  16. 1 2 Hankins, Andrew (19 March 2017). "Replacing the Invincibles: Inside the Royal Navy's controversial £6.2 billion warships". Wired UK. Archived from the original on 4 September 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  17. ↑ "Fleet Air Arm: future aircraft". Royal Navy. Archived from the original on 2 September 2011. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  18. ↑ "Portsmouth Naval Base facts". Royal Navy. Archived from the original on 24 February 2008. Retrieved 11 December 2008.
  19. ↑ "HMS Prince of Wales makes Portsmouth debut". Royal Navy. 16 November 2019. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  20. 1 2 "Iconic structure is installed on HMS Prince of Wales". Royal Navy. 13 January 2016. Archived from the original on 2 July 2017. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  21. ↑ "Fleet Solid Support Ships: Procurement". Hansard. 9 July 2020. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  22. ↑ "Defence Secretary Announces Decision on Jets for Navy's Future Carriers". Royal Navy. 10 May 2012. Archived from the original on 13 May 2012. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
  23. ↑ "Cats, traps and claptrap. Why the Royal Navy's new aircraft carriers operate VSTOL aircraft". Save the Royal Navy. 19 October 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  24. ↑ Securing Britain in an Age of Uncertainty: The Strategic Defence and Security Review (PDF). HM Government. October 2010. p. 23. ISBN   978-0-10179-482-4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 December 2010.
  25. ↑ Royal Navy: A Global Force 2012/13 (PDF). Ministry of Defence. 2013. p. 24. ISBN   978-1-906940-75-1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 January 2014.
  26. ↑ "Steel cut on second super-carrier". Navy News. 26 May 2011.[ permanent dead link ]
  27. ↑ "Queen Elizabeth Class - Construction". Pymes75. 12 September 2014.
  28. ↑ "UK aircraft carrier Prince of Wales to go into service". BBC News. 5 September 2014. Archived from the original on 23 September 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  29. ↑ "National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015" (PDF). HM Government. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 November 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  30. ↑ "Aircraft Carriers:Written question – 33852". HM Government. 20 April 2016. Archived from the original on 5 May 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  31. ↑ Ripley, Tim (1 September 2017). "Royal Navy considers two carriers essential for F-35 trials". Janes Defence Weekly. Archived from the original on 5 September 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  32. 1 2 "Second aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales named by Duchess of Rothesay". BBC News. 8 September 2017. Archived from the original on 8 May 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  33. ↑ "HMS Prince of Wales floats out". Aircraft Carrier Alliance . 21 December 2017. Archived from the original on 25 December 2017. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  34. 1 2 Allison, George (21 December 2017). "HMS Prince of Wales floated out of dry dock in Rosyth". UK Defence Journal. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  35. ↑ "First aircraft lands on HMS Prince of Wales". Royal Navy. 23 September 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  36. ↑ Maddox, David (23 March 2013). "600 Royal Navy personnel may be stationed at Rosyth". The Scotsman . Archived from the original on 25 March 2013. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  37. ↑ "Britain's second carrier sets sail for sea trials". UK Ministry of Defence. 19 September 2019. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
  38. ↑ "New aircraft carrier set to make maiden voyage". BBC News . 20 September 2019. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
  39. ↑ Clark, Leeza (22 September 2019). "Naval flagship heads under the Forth bridges to start sea trials". The Courier .
  40. ↑ "HMS Prince of Wales: Navy ship arrives in Portsmouth". BBC News. 16 November 2019. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  41. ↑ "Aircraft Carrier HMS Prince of Wales Arrives in Liverpool". Royal Navy. 28 February 2020.
  42. ↑ Cotterill, Tom (7 December 2020). "Royal Navy's new aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales stranded in Portsmouth for six months after second flood". The News. Portsmouth. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  43. ↑ Hope, Christopher (2 January 2021). "Exclusive: Leaky HMS Prince of Wales spends fewer than 90 days at sea in two years" . The Daily Telegraph . Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  44. 1 2 Knuckey, James (30 April 2021). "HMS Prince of Wales: Carrier Returns To Sea After Repairs". Forces.net . Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  45. 1 2 3 "The HMS Prince of Wales is NATO's Newest Aircraft Carrier". The National Interest. 13 January 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  46. ↑ Adams, Christopher (25 July 2007). "MoD gives nod for aircraft carriers". Financial Times . Archived from the original on 23 May 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  47. 1 2 3 Osborne, Anthony (11 September 2013). "U.K. Royal Navy Widening Scope of Carrier Use". Aviation Week. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
  48. ↑ "Crowsnest Airborne Surveillance and Control due to achieve Initial Operating Capability in 2023 | Navy Lookout". 19 December 2022.
  49. ↑ Osborne, Anthony (30 August 2013). "U.K. Builds Fleet of Modernized Chinooks". Aviation Week. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
  50. ↑ "ALN 139 'PTB Buccaneer - HMS Queen Elizabeth Carrier'". Archived from the original on 28 March 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  51. ↑ "ATLAS ELEKTRONIK UK SEA Class – Delivering an Innovative, Flexible, Cost-effective Solution to the UK MOD". thyssenkrupp-marinesystems.com. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  52. ↑ "In focus: the versatile new workboats being built for the Royal Navy". Navy Lookout. 6 August 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  53. ↑ "In focus: the 50 cal heavy machine gun in Royal Navy service". Navy Lookout. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  54. ↑ "80th Anniversary of ships' bells". National Museum of the Royal Navy. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  55. ↑ "Cammell Laird Presents Replica of Historic Prince of Wales Bell to Crew of Britain's Newest Aircraft Carrier". Cammell Laird. 30 March 2020. Archived from the original on 28 June 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  56. ↑ "Cammell Laird presents replica of historic Prince of Wales bell to crew of Britain's newest aircraft carrier - Polaris Media". Polaris Media PR. 5 March 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  57. ↑ Harding, Thomas (2 May 2011). "Prince Charles 'saves Ark Royal'". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 5 May 2011. Retrieved 10 May 2011.
  58. ↑ Cotterill, Tom (7 December 2020). "Navy's new £3.2bn carrier stranded in Portsmouth for six months after second flood". The News. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  59. ↑ "HMS Prince of Wales ready for global missions as international exercise ends off Scotland". Royal Navy. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  60. ↑ Allison, George (12 January 2022). "British carrier sails from Portsmouth to undertake role as NATO flagship" . Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  61. ↑ ""Pride, passion and purpose" as Royal Navy takes on key NATO mission". www.royalnavy.mod.uk. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  62. 1 2 "UK's defective Nato flagship could miss 'landmark' flight trials". Guardian. 29 August 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  63. ↑ "HMS Prince of Wales to be dry-docked while HMS Queen Elizabeth takes on some of her tasking". Navy Lookout. 1 September 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  64. ↑ Nicholls, Dominic (29 August 2022). "HMS Prince of Wales 'faces long spell in dry dock' after breaking down". The Telegraph. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  65. ↑ "HMS Prince of Wales to be dry-docked while HMS Queen Elizabeth takes on some of her tasking". www.navylookout.com. 1 September 2022. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  66. ↑ "HMS Prince of Wales has "Significant Damage" Likely Requiring Dry Dock".
  67. ↑ "Royal Navy's HMS Prince of Wales finally departs for repairs". BBC News. 8 October 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  68. ↑ "Repairs to HMS Prince of Wales will not prevent return to operations this summer". Navy Lookout. 24 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  69. ↑ "Royal Navy's HMS Prince of Wales repairs due to end by spring 2023". BBC News. 2 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  70. ↑ "HMS Prince of Wales returns to Portsmouth after repairs". BBC News. 5 August 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  71. ↑ "Royal Navy Tests Drone Operations On Aircraft Carrier HMS Prince of Wales". The Aviationist. 10 September 2023.
  72. ↑ "HMS Prince of Wales heads to USA to shape future of naval aviation". Royal Navy. 1 September 2023.
  73. ↑ "Mojave uncrewed air system successfully flown from HMS Prince of Wales". Navy Lookout. 17 November 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  74. ↑ "HMS Prince of Wales sails for key NATO exercise in Norway". Naval News. 13 February 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  75. ↑ "HMS Prince of Wales welcomed home in Portsmouth after huge Nato exercises". Forces News. 26 March 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.