HMS Queen Elizabeth
HMS Queen Elizabeth is the lead ship of the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom. Here is detailed information about this notable vessel:
Design and Construction
- Name: HMS Queen Elizabeth
- Builder: Aircraft Carrier Alliance at Rosyth Dockyard
- Cost: Approximately £3.1 billion ($4 billion) for the carrier itself, with an additional £1 billion for the infrastructure and other costs.
- Laid Down: July 7, 2009
- Launched: July 4, 2014
- Commissioned: December 7, 2017
Technical Specifications
- Displacement: 65,000 tonnes
- Length: 280 meters
- Beam: 70 meters (flight deck width)
- Draught: 11 meters
- Propulsion: Integrated Electric Propulsion (IEP) with two shafts
- Speed: Over 25 knots
- Range: 10,000 nautical miles
- Complement: Up to 1,600 personnel (including aircrew)
- Aircraft Carried: Up to 40 aircraft, including F-35 Lightning II fighters, Merlin and Wildcat helicopters
Operational History
- HMS Queen Elizabeth completed her first sea trials in June 2017, where she conducted various tests including speed, stability, and the operation of her aircraft handling systems.
- In 2019, she embarked on her first operational deployment to the North Sea and the Norwegian Sea.
- She has also been involved in joint exercises with NATO allies and participated in carrier strike groups.
- Her first operational deployment to the Indo-Pacific region was in 2021, marking her as a key asset in enhancing the UK's global reach.
Significance and Strategic Role
- The carrier is designed to project power and support international security commitments, providing the UK with a significant military presence worldwide.
- It plays a crucial role in UK defense policy, especially in terms of power projection, crisis response, and the ability to operate with allied forces.
- The vessel's ability to operate F-35 Lightning II jets makes it a versatile platform for both conventional and stealth operations.
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