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HMS Prince of Wales Aircraft Carrier

HMS Prince of Wales Aircraft Carrier

Manufacturer: BAE Systems
Category: Aircraft Carriers
  • Large Flight Deck STOVL deck with ski-jump
  • Onboard Air Wing F-35B, Merlin helicopters, transport/ASW aircraft
  • Advanced Command & Control Integrated CMS and CIC for multi-domain ops
  • Defensive Weapon Systems CIWS, Sea Ceptor SAMs, decoy systems

Full Specifications

1. Physical Characteristics

Ship Type Aircraft Carrier
Class Queen Elizabeth-class
Length 284 m
Beam (Width) 73 m
Flight Deck Width 70 m
Draft 11 m
Displacement (Full Load) 65,000 tons

2. Propulsion & Performance

Propulsion Type Gas Turbine
Powerplant 2 × Rolls-Royce MT30 turbines
Shafts 2
Maximum Speed 25+ knots
Range 8,000+ nm
Endurance 90 days at sea

3. Flight Operations

Aircraft Launch System STOVL, ski-jump
Catapult Type N/A
Recovery System Arrestor nets for F-35B vertical landings
Total Aircraft Capacity 40
Hangar Capacity Full-length hangar
Aircraft Types Supported Fighters, ASW helos, transport helos

4. Sensors & Electronics

Primary Radar 3D air & surface surveillance
Navigation Radar Standard naval navigation radar
Fire Control Radar Supports air defense & CIWS
Electronic Warfare Suite ESM, ECM, jammers
Communication Systems SATCOM, Link-16, secure datalinks

5. Weapons & Defense Systems

CIWS Phalanx
Short-Range SAMs Sea Ceptor
Missile Launchers Limited surface defense
Decoy Systems Chaff, flares, electronic

6. Command & Control

Combat Management System Integrated CMS
Combat Information Center (CIC) Central command hub
Air Operations Center Manages flight ops
Data Links Tactical & satellite comms

7. Crew & Capacity

Ship Crew 1,600 personnel
Air Wing Personnel 800
Total Complement 2,400

8. Construction & Cost

Shipbuilder/Manufacturer BAE Systems / UK Royal Navy
Construction Started 2011
Commissioned 2019
Estimated Cost $6–7B

Our Rating

The overall rating is based on review by our experts

8
  • Performance 9 / 10
  • Maintenance Efficiency 7 / 10
  • Payload Capacity 8 / 10
  • Reliability & Maintenance 8 / 10

PROS

  1. Advanced STOVL flight deck for versatile aircraft operations
  2. Capable of deploying stealth F-35B fighters
  3. Integrated command and control for multi-domain operations
  4. Long endurance and global deployment capability
  5. Modern defensive systems including CIWS and Sea Ceptor

CONS

  1. High operational and maintenance costs
  2. Limited aircraft capacity compared to U.S. supercarriers
  3. Relies on STOVL aircraft, limiting payload compared to CATOBAR carriers
  4. Vulnerable to long-range missile threats without escort
  5. Initial training and integration complexity for multinational exercises

HMS Prince of Wales Aircraft Carrier – UK Naval Power

Commissioned in 2019, the vessel is purpose-built to support a wide range of operations, from full-scale combat missions to humanitarian assistance. With a full-load displacement of 65,000 tons and a length of 284 meters, HMS Prince of Wales can accommodate a mixed air wing of up to 40 aircraft, including F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters, Merlin anti-submarine helicopters, and other rotary and fixed-wing assets.

Equipped with a short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) flight deck, the carrier uses advanced ski-jump technology to optimize aircraft launch operations. Its integrated command and control systems allow seamless coordination of air, surface, and subsurface operations, while a robust sensor suite—including radar, electronic warfare, and communication systems—ensures situational awareness in complex operational environments.

Defensive capabilities include Phalanx CIWS, Sea Ceptor short-range SAMs, and decoy launchers to counter aerial and missile threats. Propelled by dual Rolls-Royce marine gas turbines, HMS Prince of Wales achieves speeds exceeding 25 knots, with an endurance of up to 90 days at sea.

Operationally, the carrier has participated in multinational exercises and power projection missions worldwide, demonstrating interoperability with NATO allies and U.S. carrier strike groups. Its combination of air power, command capabilities, and survivability makes HMS Prince of Wales a critical asset for both national defense and coalition maritime operations.

HMS Prince of Wales Aircraft Carrier Price

The HMS Prince of Wales represents the pinnacle of British naval engineering and power projection. Built by BAE Systems and Babcock International at the Rosyth Dockyard in Scotland, this Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier serves as the centerpiece of the Royal Navy’s fleet, designed for global operations and rapid deployment of air power.

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