Steel cut for second super-carrier
27/05/2011
Work has begun on the second of the biggest warships ever built for the Royal Navy with the first steel cut for HMS Prince of Wales. Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox performed the honours at BAE Systems’ Govan shipyard, pressing the button on a computer-guided laser to cut the first piece of hull for the 65,000-tonne aircraft carrier.
We are committed to delivering this next generation of powerful British aircraft carriers that will mark a step change in our carrier strike capability and form the cornerstone of the Royal Navy’s Future Force 2020.Dr Liam Fox
WORK has begun on the second of the biggest warships ever built for the Royal Navy with the first steel cut for HMS Prince of Wales.
Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox performed the honours at BAE Systems’ Govan shipyard, pressing the button on a computer-guided laser to cut the first piece of hull for the 65,000-tonne aircraft carrier.
In a decade’s time HMS Prince of Wales (R09) and her older sister HMS Queen Elizabeth will be the hub of Britain’s global defence policy, the launchpads for F35 Lightning II stealth fighter-bombers and helicopters.
For now, however, the two £5bn carriers are very much ‘works in progress’; they are being built in giant segments at six shipyards around the UK under the banner of the Aircraft Carrier Alliance before being assembled in a gigantic dry dock at Rosyth.
Construction of both ships requires an impressive national effort: over 10,000 people at more than 90 firms directly or indirectly toiling away on the ships or equipment for them.
It will take until around 2016 to complete Queen Elizabeth (R08) with her sister arriving a couple of years later.
The finished leviathans will provide naval airpower with a flight deck the size of three football pitches.
They will be driven through the seven seas by two 33-tonne propellers – nearly two and half times as heavy as a double decker bus – at a top speed in excess of 25 knots.
“This major construction project is creating and sustaining thousands of jobs in shipyards around the country,” said Dr Fox as he set the laser cutter going.
“We are committed to delivering this next generation of powerful British aircraft carriers that will mark a step change in our carrier strike capability and form the cornerstone of the Royal Navy’s Future Force 2020.”
Second Sea Lord, Vice-Admiral Charles Montgomery, who also attended the steel-cutting ceremony, added:
“The Queen Elizabeth Class will provide Britain with the means to deliver air power from the sea, wherever and whenever required, and in a stronger and more decisive form than ever before.
“They will undoubtedly prove a tremendous asset both to the Royal Navy and to the UK as a whole.”
Queen Elizabeth was laid down in July 2009; her bow has already been delivered to Rosyth where they will be assembled using a 223ft crane, aptly-named Goliath.
TAKE A LOOK
Image Gallery
-
Steel cut for the second Navy super-carrier
![]()
The Defence Secretary has today cut the first steel for HMS Prince of Wales, the Royal Navyâs second Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carrier.During the ceremony at the BAE shipyard in Govan, Dr Liam Fox started the computer-guided laser to cut the first piece of hull for the second of these new 65, 000 tonne ships, the largest ever built for the Royal Navy. He also met members of the workforce as he was given a tour of the facility.Dr Fox said:âWe are committed to delivering this next generation of powerful British aircraft carriers that will mark a step change in our carrier strike capability and form the cornerstone of the Royal Navyâs Future Force 2020. This major construction project is creating and sustaining thousands of jobs in shipyards around the country.â The new Queen Elizabeth Class carriers, which are being built by an alliance of BAE, Babcock, Thales UK and the Ministry of Defence, will give the Royal Navy a four acre military operating base which can be deployed worldwide. Both will have nine decks, plus a flight deck the size of three football pitches. Each carrier will have two propellers will weighing 33 tonnes - nearly two and half times as heavy as a double decker bus - producing a maximum speed of over 25 knots. The class will operate at least twelve of the carrier variant Joint Strike Fighter jets that are highly capable, offer value for money, and allow for unparalleled interoperability with our allies.Second Sea Lord, Vice-Admiral Charles Montgomery, who also attended the steel cutting ceremony, said:âThe Queen Elizabeth Class will provide Britain with the means to deliver air power from the sea, wherever and whenever required, and in a stronger and more decisive form than ever before. In addition they will be able to undertake a wide range of tasks including support to peace keeping operations and delivery of humanitarian aid in time of crisis. They will undoubtedly prove a tremendous asset both to the Roya
-
Steel cut for the second Navy super-carrier
![]()
-
Steel cut for the second Navy super-carrier
![]()
Construction of HMS Prince of Wales, the second of the two new Queen Elizabeth (QE) Class aircraft carriers for the Royal Navy, started today at BAE Systemsâ Govan shipyard on the Clyde. Employees and guests gathered at BAE Systems shipyard as Secretary of State for Defence, Right Honourable Liam Fox MP, pressed the button on the Companyâs plasma machine to cut the first steel for the vessel, marking a pivotal stage in the programme to deliver the nationâs flagships. Secretary of State for Defence Liam Fox MP meets BAE Systems 3rd year apprentices at todays event.
-
Steel cut for the second Navy super-carrier
![]()
-
Steel cut for the second Navy super-carrier
![]()
Related Stories
-
Cumbrian lad brings patrol vessel into Whitehaven
19/06/2013
A Cumbrian Royal Navy officer will have the honour of sailing his own ship into his home county in support of the W...
-
HMS Lancaster to visit the Cayman Islands
19/06/2013
Following a successful visit to Key West, HMS Lancaster, is now heading for the Cayman Islands as part of her six m...
-
First Royal Navy sailor qualifies to move aircraft on U...
18/06/2013
US Top Gun pilots on one of the world’s busiest aircraft carriers are now taking their orders from a Royal Navy sai...
Features
-
Bird Control Unit
09/05/2013
When a bird hits an aircraft this is known as a bird strike. Bird strikes are the single greatest cause of accident...
-
`Howzat’ – Goughie Bowled Over By RNR Commitment
12/04/2013
UPDATED - Former England international cricketer and Strictly Come Dancing star Darren Gough found himself making a...
-
Royal Navy sailors share 500 years of seafaring knowled...
28/02/2013
Five Royal Navy sailors are drawing on five centuries of British seafaring expertise to share their knowledge with ...
Find the perfect role
Our job finder tool will help you find the perfect role to match your skills
