Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers being built to fulfill the CVF requirement.
New thread to focus on the assembly of the new Royal Navy carriers as they start to take shape and to be completed as per their original STOVL design.
Couple of notes on this following a talk given by Geoff Searle the Program Manager on the eve of the switch back;- the Ski jump will be reinstated, the approach radar of the invincible class will be replaced by the new US version as the aircraft are too stealthy on approach until its too late, the thermal footprint is quite a concern resulting in investigations with the USN into a suitable & durable deck coating af a metallic origin perhaps, the crew in the catwalks also need some protection along with their kit, a new landing light configuration is required for the SRVL and yes the JSF program have been studying the capability since 2010 so it wasnt dropped when we switched over.
By: F-18RN - 8th September 2017 at 18:35
And now HMS Prince of Wales (I was hoping on it being renamed Ark Royal :() has been formerly christened and is externally complete. Though the fact that it won’t be in full service for another six years to me is diappointing.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-41172440
By: mrmalaya - 30th August 2017 at 14:29
Here is a very current and detailed summary of the position so far, with regard to the ship, it’s systems, operations and aircraft:
By: ClanWarrior - 16th August 2017 at 13:29
Here is a video of the Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier arriving in Portsmouth, from the Royal Navy’s official YouTube channel.
By: ClanWarrior - 16th August 2017 at 11:03
The Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier has now arrived in Portsmouth naval base, here is a video of the aircraft carrier arriving, from the BBC News Website.
By: Newforest - 16th August 2017 at 07:18
First aerial vehicle lands on QEC !
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-40910087
Scotland scores !!
By: Duggy - 14th August 2017 at 21:44
I think she looks fantastic.
(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Daniel Gaither/Released) 🙂
By: F-18RN - 13th August 2017 at 23:51
Damn straight. Just finished reading the 2017 RAF Yearbook where in one of the articles it good as admitted the Lightning wasn’t as good as Typhoon. THe RAF can afford that as they get two jets to augment each other. The Navy has to settle for the one and even that effectively under ‘light-blue’ control.
By: Tempest414 - 13th August 2017 at 20:52
Loved the pic of QE2 with the US carrier and as much as I like the type 23’s the sleek lines of a type 45 would have been nice to see. also we have to remember that use of RAF crews off of these ships will be key for the UK
By: Jonesy - 13th August 2017 at 19:21
First squadron that deploys to the ship is going to be a USMC F-35B mob isnt it?. Looks like pretty good interoperability to me!.
If they removed that monstrosity from the bow and installed a pair of ‘cats and arrestor cables, angled-deck markings etc, then we’d have a proper carrier.
….plus have the RN stand up a CATOBAR training program far larger than any its seen in 50 years, expand Culdrose or Yeovilton to accept at least 3 frontline squadrons and an OCU, purchase a CATOBAR type solely out of RN resources to fill out those squadrons……and forget about the Type26 or Type31 spend!
Damn those politicians for not letting us have a “proper” carrier!
By: F-18RN - 13th August 2017 at 13:13
I agree Dreadnought, brilliant interoperability. If they removed that monstrosity from the bow and installed a pair of ‘cats and arrestor cables, angled-deck markings etc, then we’d have a proper carrier. That’s what you get with having politicians & particularly the Treasury interfering in such matters.
By: dreadnought - 12th August 2017 at 18:46
Great interoperability! Those F18’s landing on the QE, fantastic!
Wait, i was just dreaming , but I bet the winebottles were interoperable 🙂
By: Duggy - 12th August 2017 at 18:03
From last week.
ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 5, 2017) An F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the “Tomcatters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 31, bottom, and an F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the “Blacklions” of VFA-213 fly in formation above the HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) during exercise Saxon Warrior 2017. The U.S. and U.K. co-hosted carrier strike group exercise demonstrates interoperability and capability to respond to crises and deter potential threats. (U.S. Navy photo by Capt. Jim McCall/Released)
ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 8, 2017) The Royal Navy Duke-class frigates HMS Iron Duke (F 234), left, and HMS Westminster (F 237), the Royal Norwegian Navy frigate Helge Ingstad (F 313), The Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08), the U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75), the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), and the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) are underway in formation during exercise Saxon Warrior 2017. The U.S. and United Kingdom co-hosted carrier strike group exercise demonstrates interoperability and capability to respond to crises and deter potential threats. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael B. Zingaro/Released) 
By: ClanWarrior - 10th August 2017 at 14:19
The Queen Elizabeth is now back at Invergordon, not long to wait for the hand over date.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-40887369
By: TonyT - 7th August 2017 at 14:51
“You didn’t have to have your security chaps tagging along behind us Minister… we are all on the same side here”
“That’s what you think, I have still to tell the Fleet Air Arm Chappies their jets are running late.”
By: ClanWarrior - 7th August 2017 at 13:34
Queen Elizabeth’s arrival date in Portsmouth has been set for a provisional August 17th according to BBC News.
By: giganick1 - 10th July 2017 at 19:15
She’s been having prop issues
HMS Queen Elizabeth encounters propeller shaft debris issue on trials
By: Al. - 4th July 2017 at 20:32
HMS Conqueror and HMS Wreford-Brown you mean?
By: F-18RN - 3rd July 2017 at 19:21
I stand corrected :). The actual article on HMS Eagle lists her as the fifteenth whilst the list of different Eagles lists eighteen.
By: dreadnought - 3rd July 2017 at 18:20
I’d go for Invincible and Hermes, they won the Falkland War.
By: swerve - 2nd July 2017 at 22:54
Eagle 15? Wikipedia lists 18 so far.
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