Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

[SKB]

Speech by Admiral Sir Philip Jones, First Sea Lord:

Your Royal Highnesses, my Lords, ladies and gentlemen, honoured guests, 3 years ago, the naming of HMS Queen Elizabeth was a strategic awakening for the United Kingdom.

The moment when we proved to the world, and to ourselves, that we still have what it takes to be a great maritime industrial nation.

Today, we return to Rosyth, to the cradle of modern British sea power, to dedicate HMS Prince of Wales.

We are honoured by the presence of Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall; of course, as we are in Scotland, more appropriately the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay.

We are also joined by representatives from across government, the armed forces, together with veterans and some of our vital international partners.

This ceremony, and all that it represents, demonstrates the United Kingdom’s determination to see through our strategic intent and to fulfil the promise of our maritime renaissance.

For though she is the second of her class, HMS Prince of Wales has a strategic significance all of her own.

If building one carrier is a statement of national ambition; then building 2 is an unmistakable sign of commitment, to our own defence and that of our allies.

Atlantic Charter
Today, HMS Prince of Wales is the newest and most advanced vessel of her kind.

In the half century of service that lies before her, she will assimilate astonishing developments in technology, from unmanned vehicles on the seas and in the skies, to the all encompassing, all pervading, tide of data that is shaping modern warfare.

And yet the name Prince of Wales is a historic one. It is emblematic of many centuries of loyal service to crown and country.

Of the many ships that have borne this princely title, none better demonstrates the importance of our continuing strategic responsibility than the seventh and last.

In the darkest period of the Second World War, the battleship HMS Prince of Wales was the venue for Winston Churchill’s first meeting with President Roosevelt.

During a church service off the coast of Newfoundland, the 2 leaders sat beneath her great guns, amid a congregation of sailors and marines from both nations.

Until that point Britain had stood alone. But on that Sunday morning, onboard that ship, the New World joined the Old in common cause.

Of all the many legacies borne out of that extraordinary partnership, few have been more significant than the Atlantic Charter.

It pledged economic and social progress for the benefit of all. At its heart was a commitment to self determination, freedom of the seas and the rule of law in the world.

This settlement was the inspiration for the United Nations and has been the basis of security and progress in the world since 1945.

It is a settlement under which our own nation has enjoyed 7 decades of comparative peace and rising prosperity.

But today the principles upon which it is founded are being tested.

From the Baltic to the Black Sea, hybrid warfare seeks to undermine democratic governments and sovereign borders.

In the Mediterranean, a sorry tide of human suffering has exposed once again the inequality borne out of conflict and repression.

And in the South China Sea, growing regional competition highlights the continuing importance of freedom of navigation to global stability and prosperity.

The United Kingdom holds positions of international responsibility: other countries look to us for leadership, partnership and example.

So the biggest test of all comes from within.

Do we still have the necessary belief to stand by the principles under which we have prospered?

Are we still prepared to do what it takes to defend them and to lead others in doing the same?

And, most importantly, are we prepared to match our words with the tools to do the job?

Modernised Royal Navy
Today we are gathered in this great dockyard to answer those questions.

Standing in the shadow of a new Prince of Wales, and in the company of our most important allies, we rededicate ourselves to this historic cause, and to the obligations it brings.

With 2 Queen Elizabeth class carriers in Royal Navy service, one will be available for operations at all times.

In the United States, aviators from the Fleet Air Arm are working hand-in-glove with their Royal Air Force counterparts to bring the F35B Joint Strike Fighter into UK service, and the first operational squadron moves to Marham next year.

This combination of ships and jets will provide our nation with a continuous carrier strike capability, a powerful conventional deterrent in a dangerous and uncertain world.

Alongside this new undertaking, the Royal Navy will deliver the UK’s nuclear deterrent, as we have done every hour of every day for nearly half a century.

These 2 strategic responsibilities will sit at the heart of a modernised and emboldened Royal Navy.

On the River Clyde, steel has been cut for the first city-class frigate, HMS Glasgow. She and her sister ships will carry names from all parts of our United Kingdom, renewing the bond between the nation and its navy.

Meanwhile, after the long years in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Royal Marines have returned to sea, and to the environment in which they have demonstrated such unswerving professionalism and adaptability across 3 and a half centuries.

And finally, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary will continue to be found where they’ve always been in times of peace and war: right by our side.

But this is not a journey our sailors and marines make by themselves.

Working with the Army and the Royal Air Force, the UK Carrier Strike Group will project British power and influence at sea, in the air, over the land and in cyberspace.

And working with our international partners, it represents a new and substantial commitment to NATO and to all the UK’s alliances throughout the world.

We could not have reached this point without the substantial and ongoing support of the United States Navy, the US Marine Corps and the Marine Nationale, and I pay grateful tribute to them today.

We will repay the military and political capital they have invested in us by delivering a comprehensive, credible capability that opens the way for closer carrier cooperation between us.

So the advent of the Queen Elizabeth class carriers truly represents the start of a new era of strategic responsibility for the Royal Navy and the nation.

Conclusion
In drawing to a close, I would like to pay tribute to all those who have dedicated their efforts to this great national endeavour.

In the few short months since she put to sea, HMS Queen Elizabeth has become an icon of British engineering and British innovation, and it was a joyous occasion to welcome her into her home port of Portsmouth just over 3 weeks ago.

The same will be true for HMS Prince of Wales. Wherever she travels, at home or overseas, she will draw crowds to the water’s edge where they will marvel at your achievement.

Alone, either one of these vessels would be a formidable expression of military might. But together, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales send a powerful message to friend and foe alike.

We may live in uncertain times, but the United Kingdom has lost none of its famous resolve. We will protect our interests, we will support our allies, and we will shoulder our responsibilities, wherever in the world they are at stake.

As I consider all that has been accomplished, and that which is yet to come, I am drawn to the words of the poet Longfellow, sent by Roosevelt to Churchill after their historic meeting onboard the last Prince of Wales 76 years ago, words that find new meaning in the vessel before us, and the responsibilities that await the young men and women who will take her to sea:

Sail on, O Ship of State!

Sail on, O Union strong and great!

Humanity with all its fears,

With all the hopes of future years,

Is hanging breathless on thy fate!

[RNFollower]

For comparison:

^ QE naming, 4th July 2014

^ PoW naming 8th September 2017

What are the 2 protrusion on the lower hull?. On PWLS there are cables attached to them.

[SKB]

QE has them too ^. Some kind of tug towline attachment point I imagine. I noticed PoW's ramp didn't have a lick of black paint on the top, unlike QE.

I was unable to find a video stream to watch the naming ceremony, despite the promise from the RN saying they would livestream it on Facebook (which they didn't... )

[abc123]

When will she hit the water?

[SKB]

Nice aerial shots of PoW on Wednesday (6th September 2017). Still unpainted in large parts and covered with tents.

[PhillyJ]

Just watched the Sky piece above, unless my ears deceive me he actually said 'they HMS Prince Of Wales', I can only assume he meant 'THE' but then realised this was wrong before the HMS and tried to correct himself! About 7 secs in!

[SKB]

HMS Prince of Wales Naming Ceremony Highlights

[sea_eagle]

Another fantastic day for the ACA, RN and the country. After following this site and the great mp.net with all the many contributors over the last few years. Can't help thinking that the build process of PoW, after the political delays and cost increases as a result for QE, shows what can be done.
Wishful thinking but if we had continued the build then a third carrier would only have cost about £1.5bn, now that would be nice

[Ron5]

Don't be greedy now

[Ron5]

When I see Charley all dolled up in his Admiral of the Fleet uniform, I am reminded of the saying "born on 3rd plate and thinks he hit a triple". I'm sure there's a Brit equivalent.

[SKB]

There actually is a third QEC carrier.

It's a playground at the Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovilton.

[cockneyjock1974]

When I see Charley all dolled up in his Admiral of the Fleet uniform, I am reminded of the saying "born on 3rd plate and thinks he hit a triple". I'm sure there's a Brit equivalent.

Not really we speak English over here!!!

[Ron5]

When I see Charley all dolled up in his Admiral of the Fleet uniform, I am reminded of the saying "born on 3rd plate and thinks he hit a triple". I'm sure there's a Brit equivalent.

Not really we speak English over here!!!

On American TV, Scottish speakers have subtitles

[R686]

On American TV, Scottish speakers have subtitles

I can understand that, the Minister for War & Finance had a step mother who was Scottish, I wish she came with subtitles as 90% of the time I have no idea what she said.


As for Charlie, well what can you say

[sea_eagle]

Don't be greedy now

As we enjoy this historic moment we have watched and waited for through all the ups & downs & delays, the stark reality is this may be the last time the UK ever builds an aircraft carrier...
Assuming the RN squeezes 50 years of service out of these 2 ships; only using one at a time, so each effectively operates for 25 years; then IF the UK (HM Treasury) were to stump up the cash it would be a century since England won the World Cup...
Of course that assumes we are actually allowed to keep both that long

[ArmChairCivvy]

third carrier would only have cost about £1.5bn, now that would be nice

We got this one for just 1 bn... compared to cancelling (that truly was the contract; GB had calculated that he needed those votes to this day )

[Timmymagic]

Anyone else notice the manned Scimitar in the bottom left. Whats that all about?

[Ron5]

Sharp eyes. Maybe there to stop those Euro's nicking it for their Euronavy

or the English taking it before paying the bills.

[whitelancer]

I suspect it is a Scimitar from The Royal Lancers (Queen Elizabeths’ Own), as they are affiliated to PWLS. Note their was also a Lance Guard taking part in the ceremony.

[swoop]

An interesting bit of footage from that aerial fly around. Are there less buildings in the yard now and also is work on the basin extension happening? It now appears deeper to my eyes.

They aren't the sleekest saddlebags in history, but they get the job done so far.

A very apt description!
Before you clarified what they were for I was wondering if there was some sort of increase in missile threat from the aft quarters. Having the blocks there as a way to absorb impact was pondered for a while.

Yes, chucking garbage overboard is certainly frowned upon indeed. I've spent time cleaning up my harbour and what is thrown into the sea is a massive insult to the human race.

[cockneyjock1974]

When I see Charley all dolled up in his Admiral of the Fleet uniform, I am reminded of the saying "born on 3rd plate and thinks he hit a triple". I'm sure there's a Brit equivalent.

Not really we speak English over here!!!

On American TV, Scottish speakers have subtitles

When the original Trainspotting was shown in English cinemas, it had subtitles. That's the whole point we don't want you foreign johnnies knowing what we are saying.
That's why Cockney rhyming slang was invented in the Victorian times, so immigrants couldn't make out what we we were talking about. Immigration issues associated with Brexit ain't a new phenomenon my dear septic tank(Yank).

Back to carriers, first person to find the full ceremony online gets a prize. Also naming ceremony in Rosyth close to where I live and where am I??? Devonport!!!

[shark bait]

On American TV, Scottish speakers have subtitles

Even on English TV some Scottish speakers have subtitles!

[ArmChairCivvy]

Even on English TV some Scottish speakers have subtitles!

Who provides the subtitles for those that have to take down what was said for the Hansard?

[SKB]

HMS Queen Elizabeth creates a ‘summer boom’ for Portsmouth. Features a video interview with HMNB Portsmouth's Commodore Jeremy Rigby.
http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/defenc ... -1-8143836

[SKB]

Interesting diagram of the QEC's 4 Deck (hangar deck level) I accidently found in the Save The Royal Navy.org website.


Seems the QEC's have five RAS points, two for fuel on the port side and a single for fuel on the starboard side. There are also two retractable RAS heavy stores rigs just inside the hangar doors.

Three large bays for the passenger transfer boats and 2 other smaller bays for the smaller sea boats.