Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth has sailed from Portsmouth, bound for the east coast of the USA for operational trials.
For the first time, UK fighter jets will join this state-of-the-art ship in a significant milestone for the programme.
The deployment, known as ‘WESTLANT 19,’ will see the carrier conduct ‘Operational Testing’, with British F-35B Lightning jets embarking for the first time as she moves closer to her first operational deployment in 2021. The carrier will also spend time in Canada during her four-month travels.
A handout photo made available by the British Ministry of Defence showing HMS Queen Elizabeth, Britain’s largest ever aircraft carrier setting sail from HMNB Portsmouth to conduct in her second deployment to the United States. The vessel will take part in Ex WESTLANT 19 deployment alongside HMS Northumberland, HMS Dragon and American counterparts and will return home just before Christmas. EPA-EFE/LPhot DAN ROSENBAUM HANDOUT CREDIT: MOD/CROWN COPYRIGHT
Operational Testing is designed to put the jets, ship and supporting units through their paces. The tests allow the equipment and crew to operate under realistic warfighting scenarios to ready them for their first operational deployment.
From planning campaigns, briefing, preparing and arming the jets and pilots, to flying and sustaining them on their ‘mission,’ the trials ensure that the units can fight as one.
The deployment represents the continued positive relationship between the UK and US. Units from the United States Navy, US Air Force and US Marine Corps will all take part in the ‘WESTLANT 19’ deployment, further demonstrating the close partnership between the two NATO allies.
A handout photo made available by the British Ministry of Defence showing HMS Queen Elizabeth, Britain’s largest ever aircraft carrier setting sail from HMNB Portsmouth to conduct in her second deployment to the United States. The vessel will take part in Ex WESTLANT 19 deployment alongside HMS Northumberland, HMS Dragon and American counterparts and will return home just before Christmas. EPA-EFE/LPhot UNAISI LUKE HANDOUT CREDIT: MOD/CROWN COPYRIGHT HANDOUT
While at sea, HMS Queen Elizabeth is accompanied by other units of the Commander UK Carrier Strike Group (COMUKCSG) including a Type-45 destroyer, a Type-23 frigate and air assets from the Carrier Air Wing. This provides vital warfighting skills and training for each element to the Royal Navy’s potent carrier strike capabilities.
RFA Tideforce is providing tanker support to the Strike Group, which will be joined by ships and air assets from other nations throughout the deployment. Lima Company, 42 Commando Royal Marines based in Plymouth and a Role 2 Medical Team Afloat are also embarked on the carrier.
HMS Queen Elizabeth will also host the second Atlantic Future Forum during her time in the US, following on from the inaugural forum held last year in New York. The forum provides a platform for innovators, business leaders and tech entrepreneurs across government and industry to explore emerging cyber, artificial intelligence and space trends, technologies and threats.
The ‘WESTLANT 19’ Strike Group will return to the UK at the end of the year. HMS Queen Elizabeth’s sister ship HMS Prince of Wales is in her final stages of build at Rosyth Dockyard. She is expected to commence her sea trials in the coming weeks.
