Watch as footage shows HMS Queen Elizabeth conduct vital system tests off the coast of Scotland.
The operation to move the vessel out of the basin was performed by a fleet of tugs and attracted significant public interest.
Admiral Sir Philip Jones First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff said:
“This is a hugely significant moment for the Royal Navy, for all our Armed Forces and for our island nation. Once in service HMS Queen Elizabeth will be the largest aircraft carrier in the world outside the United States, and the first designed from the outset to operate a fifth generation aircraft.
Already this ship represents the best of the UK’s industrial and engineering expertise, and once in service she will symbolise our military power and authority in the world for decades to come. There is still much work to do between now and then, but be in no doubt: a new era of British maritime power is about to begin.”
A true beauty at sea and she is so damn heavy, she seems to have beaten the water still 🙂
After watching CGI videos on YouTube for years and to see it built and for real now is amazing.
(It should still have Sea Ceptor and Brimestone Sea Spear at the very least!).
Great a bit larger than my last ship in the navy Invincible.
AT LONG LAST, WE HAVE THE BEGINNINGS OF A FLEET, INSTEAD OF THE REMNANTS OF A MERE ESCORT SQUADRON. MAY ALL THE GODS AND THEIR SAINTS PROTECT HER AND ALL WHO SAIL ON AND WITH HER. MAY SHE ALWAYS BE PROTECTED FROM THE CLUTCHES OF THAT COMMUNIST FASIST, JEREMY CORBIN AND HIS RENTA MOB SOCIALIST ACOLYTES AND THEIR MISDIRECTED PROFLIGATE WAYS. BRING ON HMS. PRINCE OF WALES AND MORE DESTROYERS AND FRIGATES FOR OUR SHIP STARVED ROYAL NAVY!!!!!!!!!!!
Agree with A Smith as a £3 billion strike carrier and fleet flagship ship she needs more self protection weaponry. Sea ceptor, an anti ship missile ( Norwegian ASM) and an anti torpedo/ mine defence system (like Italian Fremm class)
QE class must be the most under armed strike carrier in the world currently.
Just a quick comment
She will always need an escort close in on her starboard side as both the lifts are there, if they are taken out then she is useless.
Not wishing to be negative but think all the pictures of escorts I have seen have been to port and benchmark practice should start from day 1.
I agree with the comments so far posted. First it is good to see a proper flat top in the RN again, possibly future updates might give her Cat and Trap capability as electro magnetic cats can be used in conjuction with the ski jump.
I totally agree that she needs Sea Ceptor possibly attached to the CIWS 8 launchers per CIWS, However if my understanding is correct it appears that she is fitted for but not euiped with Sea Ceptor in mind.
I have noticed the same issue as Pacman27 and it would appear that her starboard side does need protecting, (something for the Task Force Commander to think about).
What I would like to see is a new class of 3 Anti-Aircraft Task Force escorts which could be based on the Type 45. By removing the main helicopter hanger and replacing it with a further 48 Aster launchers and 16 launchers for long range anti ship missiles would give the task force combined with the type 45s and 26s a good defensive capability in stand alone operations. Wishful thinking I know.