Defence Equipment and Support

Capital Ships Team

The Capital Ships Team exists to put the Royal Navy’s capital warships to sea and keep them there, fit to fight now and in the future.

The team has specific responsibility for:

Managing the procurement of the Queen Elizabeth (QE) Class aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales. Designed to be the future flagships of the nation, the QE Class will be the biggest and most powerful surface warships ever constructed for the Royal Navy, and will be able to deploy offensive air power in support of the full spectrum of future operations. To maximise flexibility, one of the carriers will be fitted with catapults and arrestor gear to enable operation of both STOVL and Carrier Variant type aircraft.

Directing the through-life engineering support, upkeep and capability upgrade of the in-service carrier HMS Illustrious, the Landing Platform Dock class (HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark plus associated landing craft), the Landing Platform Helicopter class (HMS Ocean plus Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel craft), the remaining Type 42 class destroyers (HMS York, HMS Liverpool, HMS Edinburgh) and the three Type 45 Destroyers, HMS Daring, HMS Dauntless and HMS Diamond.

Managing the procurement of the Landing Craft Programme comprising Fast Landing Craft (FLC) and Force Protection Craft (FPC). This capability will enable surface assault from over the horizon, making capital platforms less vulnerable and increasing operational and tactical surprise.

In-Service Ships

CVS – HMS Illustrious (Carrier)

LPD – HMS Albion (Landing Platform Dock)

LPA – HMS Ocean (Landing Platform Helicopter)


Type 42:

HMS York
HMS Liverpool
HMS Edinburgh


Type 45:

HMS Daring
HMS Dauntless
HMS Diamond





Date updated 5 August 2011


Capital Ships Team Quick Facts

Head of Capital Ships: Cdre Steve Brunton

Contact

Capital Ships Team

DE&S

Ash 0c, #3016

MOD Abbey Wood

Bristol

BS34 8JH

Capital Ships Key Events

QE Class

Jul 2007 -  Main Gate Approval

Jul 2008 -  Contract placed with BVT Surface Fleet (now BAES Surface Ships)

Dec 2008 - Production commences on HMS Queen Elizabeth

Jul  2009 – Ceremonial first steel cut on HMS Queen Elizabeth

Apr  2010 – Bow sections for HMS Queen Elizabeth delivered to Rosyth

May 2010 – Completion of No.1 dock, Rosyth, where the QE Class carriers will be assembled

Mar 2011 - Giant ‘Goliath’ crane (for assembly of the QE Class) is delivered to Rosyth

May 2011 - Ceremonial first steel cut on HMS Prince of Wales 


Type 45

Jul 2010 – HMS Daring declared In-Service

Nov 2010 – HMS Dauntless declared In-Service

May 2011 – Dragon completed her second set of sea trials

July 2011 – HMS Diamond declared In-Service

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