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Queen Elizabeth Class (2016?) CV

Built by the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, a consortium of Babcock, BAE Systems, Thales and the Ministry of Defence. Formed to construct the two Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers.

Construction began 09-Jul-2009 at various shipyards around the UK. On completion each module is transported to Rosyth where they will be assembled into the complete ship.

Originally the class was intended to be completed with a ski-jump flight deck to operated the Harriers of the Joint Harrier Force and STOVL version of the Joint Strike Fighter.. It was also intended to be able to be changed later to operate non-STOVL aircraft with the ski-jump removed and angled flight deck, catapults and arrester wires added.

Following a Defence Review late 2010, and grounding of the Harrier aircraft, design has been changed to allow aircraft to launch with the angled flight deck option and not STOVL variant with bow ramp. 

Projected completion is 2016 but will depend on design changes during construction.

First steel for the second ship HMS Prince of Wales began 26-May-2011, it is possible that on completion it will be mothballed or sold, as cancellation costs are greater than completion costs.

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Copyright © Ian M King, except where otherwise indicated.