Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier

The Queen Elizabeth class is the Royal Navy's British aircraft carrier class, built by the Aircraft Carrier Alliance led by BAE Systems, Babcock, Thales, and the UK Ministry of Defence. Each ship combines a 65,000-tonne hull, a 280-metre flight deck, a ski-jump ramp, and capacity for up to 72 aircraft, including F-35B jets and helicopters.

Operation Inherent ResolveUnspecified

Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier, Aircraft carrier class, Naval Systems

Image source: HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales meet at sea for the first time

Carrier Aircraft

The Queen Elizabeth class is built around STOVL carrier air operations and a ski-jump deck.

Carried item

Item type

Carriage evidence

F-35B Lightning II, STOVL stealth multirole fighter, Aircraft & UAVs

F-35B Lightning II

STOVL fighter

Royal Navy carrier data says the class can embark up to 36 F-35B jets, and the F-35B is the STOVL variant designed to operate from Queen Elizabeth-class ships.

Sources: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carrier | Royal Navy, F-35 Lightning Aircraft | Royal Navy

Profile

Origin: United Kingdom
Built by: Aircraft Carrier Alliance
Type: Aircraft carrier class
Service note: 2017-present
Number built: 2
Variants: HMS Queen Elizabeth, HMS Prince of Wales, QE class, QEC

Also Known As

QE class
QEC
Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier
Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers

naval carrier aviation

Specifications

Displacement: 65,000 tonnes
Length: 284 metres
Flight deck: 280 x 70 metres
Maximum beam: 70 metres
Top speed: 25 knots
Range: 10,000 nautical miles
Crew: 679
Aircraft capacity: Up to 72 aircraft; up to 36 F-35B jets

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: HMS Queen Elizabeth commissioned in 2017; the class remains in Royal Navy service.
Used by: Royal Navy

Conflict Usage

Side: Unspecified

F-35B aircraft operating from HMS Queen Elizabeth flew combat missions against Daesh in Iraq and Syria in June 2021 as part of Operation Shader / Operation Inherent Resolve.

Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier Images

Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier, Aircraft carrier class, Naval Systems - view 1 — Source: Construction of the HMS Queen Elizabeth. MOD 45157301.jpg

Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier, Aircraft carrier class, Naval Systems - view 2 — Source: HMS Queen Elizabeth in New York.jpg

Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier, Aircraft carrier class, Naval Systems - view 3 — Source: Infographic of HMS Queen Elizabeth MOD 45158204.jpg

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Sources

Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carrier | Royal NavyPublisher: Royal Navy | Note: Supports the class designation, flight deck size, aircraft capacity, crew, speed, range, and carrier role. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 Queen Elizabeth (QE) Class Aircraft CarriersPublisher: BAE Systems | Note: Supports the Aircraft Carrier Alliance builder context and the class's dimensions, displacement, speed, crew, and embarked-forces figures. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 F-35 Lightning Aircraft | Royal NavyPublisher: Royal Navy | Note: Supports the F-35B STOVL variant and its compatibility with Queen Elizabeth-class carriers. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 Stealth jets fight Daesh in first combat missions from HMS Queen ElizabethPublisher: Royal Navy | Note: Operation Inherent Resolve: HMS Queen Elizabeth carrier air wing flew combat missions against Daesh in June 2021. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales meet at sea for the first timePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and license details for the primary carrier image. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 Construction of the HMS Queen Elizabeth. MOD 45157301.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and license details for the construction image. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 HMS Queen Elizabeth in New York.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and license details for the at-sea carrier image. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 Infographic of HMS Queen Elizabeth MOD 45158204.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and license details for the class infographic. | Accessed: 2026-06-25