HMS Queen Elizabeth has left Rosyth following her extended maintenance period and is now in the Firth of Forth, with the aircraft carrier expected to head out to sea in the coming days.
A Restricted Area (Temporary) is in force between 19 and 24 April 2026 in the vicinity of North Queensferry, covering operations linked to the vessel’s departure. The measures, introduced under Article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016, are intended to support security during the carrier’s movement.
Under the restrictions, unmanned aircraft are prohibited from flying below 1,400 feet above mean sea level within a defined area over the Firth of Forth between 0100 on 19 April and 2300 on 24 April. The regulations explicitly do not apply to manned aircraft. There is also a 200m nautical exclusion zone around the vessels.
HMS Queen Elizabeth has been in Rosyth since entering a planned dry dock and maintenance period in August 2025. The work forms part of the carrier’s routine lifecycle and includes inspections, upgrades and certification activities that require the vessel to be out of the water.
The ship
HMS Queen Elizabeth is the lead ship of the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers and one of the largest warships ever built for the UK. Ordered in 2008 and constructed at Rosyth, the vessel was commissioned in December 2017 and entered operational service in 2020. With a full load displacement of around 80,600 tonnes and a length of 284 metres, the carrier is designed to project air power globally and support a wide range of maritime operations.
The ship is built around an integrated electric propulsion system and can carry a tailored air wing centred on F-35B Lightning II aircraft alongside helicopters including Merlin, Wildcat and Apache. It is equipped with systems such as the S1850M long-range radar and Artisan 3D radar, and is defended by Phalanx close-in weapon systems and 30mm guns. The carrier can accommodate around 1,600 personnel and is designed to operate as the centrepiece of a UK Carrier Strike Group.
I think they wised up to your drone flights George 😀
I did not think the 30mm cannons were being fitted George ? That was confirmed in a parliamentary question.
So if the prince of Wales is stomping off to the high north and Greenland on op firecrest this spring/summer.. I assume Elizabeth is going to be doddering around the UK regenerating all Summer long.
80,000t. Just a toy! 🙂
Oh and unlike the US latest carrier can actually fly F-35s. Some toy, let’s hope it’s laundry doesn’t go up in smoke mind, such a thing might be considered broken in some minds.
Good to see a ship back at sea after maintenance.
Let’s hope for more ships back at sea this year.