Three aircraft carriers now in waters around Britain

Both HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales plus the USS Harry S. Truman are in waters around the UK today.

HMS Queen Elizabeth departed Portsmouth this afternoon for routine trials and training, following extensive repairs and capability upgrades completed at Rosyth earlier this year. This included critical work on the starboard propeller shaft coupling, which was necessary after a technical issue caused the vessel to withdraw from the NATO exercise Steadfast Defender. During that time, HMS Prince of Wales assumed operational responsibilities.

HMS Prince of Wales is currently leading the UK Carrier Strike Group taking part in Exercise Strike Warrior ahead of the vessels deployment to the Indo-Pacific next year.

Powerful British Carrier Strike Group assembles off Scotland

The USS Harry S. Truman and it’s Carrier Strike Group recently made its way through the Strait of Dover into the North Sea to take part in exercises with NATO Allies and regional partners. According to a press release from the U.S. Navy, the strike group’s transit marks a key moment in reinforcing the long-standing strategic relationships between the United States and its European partners.

Rear Adm. Sean Bailey, commander of the HSTCSG, emphasised the importance of the deployment:

“Storied in world history, our transit through the Strait of Dover to operate with our Allies in the North Sea underscores our commitment to maritime security and the NATO Alliance. We will operate with our NATO Allies and partners to strengthen our collective readiness, defence, and deterrence.”

The last time the HSTCSG operated in this region was in 2018, during the NATO exercise Trident Juncture, where the group ventured into the Norwegian Sea and operated above the Arctic Circle.

The task group consists of the flagship USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), which carries Carrier Air Wing 1 (CVW-1) with nine embarked aviation squadrons. Alongside the carrier, the strike group includes the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64) and two Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, USS Stout (DDG 55) and USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109).

HMS Queen Elizabeth, commissioned in December 2017, has already undertaken significant operational duties, including a global deployment in 2021. HMS Prince of Wales, commissioned in 2019, has also seen operational deployments to the United States and across Europe and the Arctic.

The Queen Elizabeth-Class Carriers

The Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers measure 284 metres in length and have a standard displacement of approximately 65,000 tonnes. The design allows for this displacement to increase to over 70,000 tonnes as the ships undergo upgrades throughout their operational lifespan.

These carriers are manned by a core crew of about 679 personnel, which can expand to around 1,600 when including aircrew. The ships are equipped to carry up to 40 aircraft, predominantly featuring the advanced F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters.

The air wing typically comprises a combination of F-35B fighters and various rotary-wing aircraft, such as the Merlin HM2 and Wildcat. Additionally, the Royal Navy is exploring the integration of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to enhance operational flexibility. Trials are underway for systems like the General Atomics Mojave, which aims to support roles including strike operations and airborne early warning, reflecting the Royal Navy’s commitment to modernising its air capabilities.

In terms of propulsion, the Queen Elizabeth-class carriers utilise an Integrated Electric Propulsion system, consisting of two Rolls-Royce Marine Trent MT30 gas turbines and several Wärtsilä diesel generator sets. This configuration grants the vessels a range of approximately 10,000 nautical miles.

The flight deck of these carriers is designed to support a variety of rotary and fixed-wing aircraft. The hangar deck measures 155 by 33.5 metres, providing ample space to accommodate up to 20 aircraft. To facilitate quick transfers from the hangar to the flight deck, each carrier is equipped with two large lifts capable of moving aircraft efficiently.

For self-defence, the carriers employ the Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) to counter potential airborne threats. In addition, the ships feature sophisticated radar systems, including the BAE Systems/Thales S1850M for long-range detection and the Artisan 3D radar system.

Finally, the Queen Elizabeth-class carriers are fitted with a highly mechanised weapons handling system, which streamlines the management of munitions on board. This system allows for efficient movement of palletised munitions from storage areas to the flight deck, minimising the need for manual handling and optimising operational readiness.