HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08)

HMS Queen Elizabeth being launched in July 2014
History
United Kingdom
Name:	Queen Elizabeth
Namesake:	Queen Elizabeth I
Operator:	Royal Navy
Ordered:	20 May 2008
Builder:	BAE Systems Surface Ships Thales Group Babcock Marine
Cost:	£3.1bn (~US$5bn)
Laid down:	7 July 2009
Launched:	17 July 2014
Sponsored by:	Elizabeth II
Christened:	4 July 2014
Commissioned:	May 2017 (planned)
In service:	2020 (planned)
Homeport:	HMNB Portsmouth
Identification:	Pennant number: R08 Deck code: Q IMO number: 4907892
Motto:	Semper Eadem ("Always the Same")
Status:	Fitting Out
Badge:
General characteristics
Class and type:	Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier
Displacement:	70,600 tonnes (69,500 long tons; 77,800 short tons)
Length:	280 m (920 ft)
Beam:	39 metres (waterline) 73 metres overall
Draught:	11 metres
Decks:	16,000 square metres
Speed:	25 knots (46 km/h)
Range:	10,000 nautical miles (19,000 km)
Capacity:	1,600
Troops:	250
Complement:	679
Sensors and processing systems:	S1850M long range radar Type 997 Artisan 3D medium range radar Ultra Electronics Series 2500 Electro Optical System (EOS)
Armament:	2 x Phalanx CIWS 4 x 30mm calibre gun 30 mm guns and mini-guns to counter asymmetric threats.
Aircraft carried:	Current planned Carrier Air Wing of up to 40 aircraft (50 full load - can be expanded to 70+): F-35B Lightning II Chinook Apache AH64 Merlin HM2 and HC4 Wildcat AH1 and HMA2 Merlin Crowsnest AEW
Aviation facilities:	Hangar below deck Two aircraft lifts Ski jump

HMS Queen Elizabeth is the lead ship of the Queen Elizabeth-class of aircraft carrier, the largest warship ever built for the Royal Navy and capable of carrying up to forty aircraft. She was named by Queen Elizabeth II on 4 July 2014, was expected to begin sea trials in March 2017, and was scheduled to be formally commissioned in May 2017. The sea trials, however, have been delayed until summer 2017. Her first Commanding Officer is to be Commodore Jerry Kyd, the former captain of HMS Ark Royal and HMS Illustrious.

Unlike most large carriers she is not fitted with catapults and arrestor wires and is instead designed to operate V/STOL aircraft; her air wing will typically consist of F-35B Lightning II fighter-bombers and Merlin helicopters for airborne early warning and anti-submarine warfare. The design emphasises flexibility, with accommodation for 250 Royal Marines and the ability to support them with attack helicopters and troop transports up to Chinook size and larger. She is the second Royal Navy vessel to bear the name HMS Queen Elizabeth and is to be based at HMNB Portsmouth.

On 25 July 2007, the then Defence Secretary Des Browne, announced the order for two new carriers. At the time of approval the first carrier was expected to enter service in July 2015 and the budget was £4,085m for two ships. The financial crisis led to a political decision in December 2008 to slow production, delaying Queen Elizabeth until May 2016. This decision alone added £1,560m to the cost. By March 2010 the budget was estimated at £5,900m and in November 2013 the contract was renegotiated with a budget of £6,200m. The in-service date was further extended to 2020 in the Strategic Defence and Security Review in October 2010.