Naval Systems

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.

Carrier Aircraft

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

Carried itemItem typeCarriage evidence
F-35B Lightning II, STOVL stealth multirole fighter, Aircraft & UAVsF-35B Lightning IISTOVL 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

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

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

Related Weapon Systems

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Sources