Britain’s biggest warship set sail this week for her autumn deployment – her longest yet, pushing the limits of aircraft carrier operations with drones, fifth-generation stealth fighters, tilt-rotors and helicopters.
Families and well-wishers snapped pictures on their phones, waved Union Jacks and bade farewell to the crew, who stood on the deck of the colossal 65,000-tonne vessel as it set off on its transatlantic journey to the USA.
HMS Prince of Wales departed Portsmouth for the Eastern Seaboard of the States to revolutionise the way the Royal Navy operates Carrier Strike Groups.
By the time she returns home shortly before Christmas, the Royal Navy say that they expect that the ship will have:
- Operated advanced drone technologies, demonstrating the delivery of vital supplies without the need to use helicopters.
- Landed and launched F-35 Lightning stealth fighters in more ways, more quickly and in the harshest of sea conditions to increase the strike carrier’s firepower.
- Increased the range and conditions in which the US Marine Corps’ impressive MV-22 Osprey tilt rotor aircraft can operate.
Before departing to the USA the ship’s company conducted trials with UK-firm W Autonomous Systems to assess the feasibility of drones delivering supplies to Royal Navy vessels at sea – initially flying in up to 100kg of stores.
Once in the USA, the ship will embark F-35B stealth fighters for the final phase of pushing the boundaries of the UK’s fifth-generation jets’ operating limits from the carrier.
Commanding Officer Captain Richard Hewitt said:
“We are all excited for the longest deployment of HMS Prince of Wales.
“Being the first to operate with this level of drones will be a huge achievement and keep us on the front foot as we prepare for the next major Carrier Strike Group deployment in 2025.”
Commander Martin Russell who is in charge of HMS Prince of Wales’ air group and flight deck operations added:
“My team are really excited to tackle the final phase of testing which will expand the F-35’s awesome capabilities even more – and to be the first to land and launch new types of drones on our deck. The deck team are ready and raring to go.”
The carrier and its 750-strong crew are set to return to the UK by Christmas.
