HMS Queen Elizabeth is cleared for frontline duties after trials
THE ROYAL Navy’s future flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth has sailed back into its home port as a “fully trained” aircraft carrier.
The 65,000-tonne warship has completed sea trials and flight tests with the F-35B Lightning jets, clearing it for frontline duties.
The first of the Navy’s two Queen Elizabeth class carriers will undergo further training in the autumn alongside Nato and US allies as the final stage before it can sail as part of a carrier strike group.
Armed Forces Minister James Heappey said: “HMS Queen Elizabeth is an extraordinary ship crewed by extraordinary people from both the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force.
“They’ve put their duty to our country ahead of spending time with their families and, in the process, they’ve taken us a step closer to once again having a carrier strike capability with the capacity to project British influence across the globe.”
The ship set sail from Portsmouth in April for sea trials, then returned briefly to base before setting off again for flight trials in the North Sea with the F-35 stealth jets from 617 Squadron, which is better known as The Dambusters.
Captain Angus Essenhigh, HMS Queen Elizabeth’s commanding officer, said:
“The ship’s company have worked incredibly hard over the past 70 days, making every effort to surpass the high standards set by our assessors.
“They have come through with flying colours, which means HMS Queen Elizabeth has taken a huge step towards sailing on her maiden deployment, flying the flag for the United Kingdom and demonstrating that we are a global naval power with global ambitions.”