British Navy aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales at sea together for the first time
Leonard T. Koonce
2 min read
Following the British-led multinational naval exercise, the two British aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, were deployed at sea for the very first time.
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British Navy aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales at sea together for the first time. (Image source British Navy)
This naval exercise was designed to push the Carrier Strike Group to its limits and ensure readiness for any situation during this year’s seven-month global deployment, Exercise Strike Warrior provided the largest and most demanding he has faced so far.
The two-week exercise was part of the larger biennial military exercise, Joint Warrior, where the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, British Army and British Strategic Command – alongside NATO partners and Australia – conducted land, cybernetic and space exercises.
State-of-the-art F-35 fighters from HMS Queen Elizabeth fired missiles during the exercise, marking the first time that British jets had done so at sea in 15 years.
HMS Queen Elizabeth is the lead ship of the Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier class. The ship began sea trials in June 2017, commissioned on December 7, 2017 and entered service with the Royal British Navy in 2020.
The aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth weighs 65,000 tonnes and can reach a maximum speed of 25 knots (46 km / h). It can carry up to 72 aircraft, with a maximum capacity of 36 F-35B fighters. The ship has a flight deck 280 m long and 70 m wide.
HMS Queen Elizabeth has a crew of around 700, which increases to 1,600 when a full complement of F-35B jets and naval helicopters is embarked.
HMS Prince of Wales (R09) is the second Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier. The ship was christened in September 2017 and commissioned in December 2019. The ship is currently scheduled to carry up to 40 F-35B Lightning II stealth multirole fighters and Merlin helicopters for airborne early warning and anti-warfare. submarine, although in peak conditions the class is capable of supporting more than 70 F-35Bs.
HMS Prince of Wales has a crew of 1,600 with accommodation for 250 Royal Marines and the ability to support them with attack helicopters and personnel carriers up to Chinook size and up.
