HMS Queen Elizabeth is the lead ship of the Queen Elizabeth-class of aircraft carrier, with HMS Prince of Wales following closely behind in 2017. A new type of supercarrier, they are to be the future flagships of the nation.
The ship is to be the largest warship built for the Royal Navy and can carry up to forty aircraft. She is due to be commissioned in May of 2017 with the former captain of HMS Ark Royal and HMS Illustrious, Commodore Jerry Kyd, to be her first Commanding Officer. Both HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales will be versatile enough to be used for operations ranging from supporting war efforts to providing air and disaster relief.
She is the second vessel to be named HMS Queen Elizabeth and is to be based in Portsmouth.
Design-
The estimated budget for the two new ships was £6,200 million with the construction starting in 2009. HMS Queen Elizabeth is being built in six different UK ship yards and will be 280 metres long.
Future Work-
The crew will move aboard during December 2016 ready for her sea trials in March. In 2020 an ‘operational military capability’ will be declared, meaning The HMS Queen Elizabeth is ready to be deployed.
Aircraft –
HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales are expected to be able to carry a maximum of thirty-six F-35s and four helicopters. The deck of the ship can be marked out for up to ten medium helicopters landing at once, which would allow up to 250 troops to lift off at once.
HMS Prince of Wales-
The Prince of Wales is the second of the new Queen Elizabeth aircraft carriers. Also measuring 280 metres in length and weighing 70,600 tons, the vessel will be ready for duties around the globe by the year 2023.
HMS Queen Elizabeth is part of the Surface Fleet which forms the core of the Royal Navy; powerfully handled warships, helping to protect our Nation. The two ships will be used by all three sectors of the Armed Forces providing eight acres of sovereign territory around the world.
Wyedean holds the contract for Royal Navy Ship Badge, also known as Ship Crests or Ship Plaques. The Ship Badges are often presented as military gifts or memorabilia. Our newest plaques to be added to the webstore are HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales. View the crests here. We also stock the captallies for HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.
