HMS Prince of Wales (R09)

HMS Prince of Wales (R09) is a Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier of the Royal Navy, named after Charles, Prince of Wales, the Prince of Wales. The ship was constructed by a consortium known as the BAE Systems-led Aircraft Carrier Alliance, which included Thales Group, Babcock International, and Rolls-Royce Holdings. The design of the ship was influenced by the Invincible-class aircraft carrier and the USS Nimitz of the United States Navy.

Background and Design

The Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier was designed to replace the Invincible-class aircraft carrier, with the HMS Prince of Wales (R09) being the second ship of the class, following the HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08). The design of the ship was led by BAE Systems, with input from Thales Group, Babcock International, and Rolls-Royce Holdings, and was influenced by the USS Wasp of the United States Navy and the Charles de Gaulle of the French Navy. The ship's design was also informed by the experience of the Royal Navy in operating the Invincible-class aircraft carrier during the Falklands War and the Iraq War. The HMS Prince of Wales (R09) was designed to work closely with other Royal Navy ships, such as the Type 45 destroyer and the Astute-class submarine, as well as with Royal Air Force aircraft, including the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II.

Construction and Career

The construction of the HMS Prince of Wales (R09) began in 2011 at the Rosyth Dockyard in Scotland, with the ship being assembled from sections built at various shipyards around the United Kingdom, including the BAE Systems yard at Barrow-in-Furness and the Babcock International yard at Appledore. The ship was launched in 2017 and began sea trials in 2019, with the ship being commissioned into the Royal Navy in 2019. The HMS Prince of Wales (R09) is home-ported at the HMNB Portsmouth in Hampshire, and is expected to undertake a range of tasks, including power projection, humanitarian assistance, and defence diplomacy, working closely with other Royal Navy ships, such as the HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08), and with Royal Air Force aircraft, including the Eurofighter Typhoon.

Operational History

The HMS Prince of Wales (R09) has undertaken a number of deployments since its commissioning, including a deployment to the North Atlantic in 2020, where the ship worked with other Royal Navy ships, such as the HMS Defender (D36), and with United States Navy ships, including the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71). The ship has also undertaken a number of exercises, including the Exercise Joint Warrior and the Exercise Formidable Shield, working with other Royal Navy ships, such as the HMS Dragon (D35), and with Royal Air Force aircraft, including the Boeing P-8 Poseidon. The HMS Prince of Wales (R09) is expected to play a key role in the Royal Navy's future operations, working closely with other Royal Navy ships, such as the HMS Albion (L14), and with Royal Air Force aircraft, including the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II.

Characteristics

The HMS Prince of Wales (R09) has a number of key characteristics, including a length of 280 metres, a beam of 39 metres, and a displacement of 65,000 tonnes. The ship is powered by two Rolls-Royce Holdings MT30 gas turbines, and has a top speed of over 25 knots. The ship has a crew of over 1,600 personnel, and can carry up to 40 aircraft, including the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II and the AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat. The ship is equipped with a range of sensors and weapons, including the Thales Group S1850M radar and the BAE Systems Phalanx CIWS, and has a range of defensive systems, including the Seagnat decoy system.

Current Status

The HMS Prince of Wales (R09) is currently in service with the Royal Navy, and is expected to remain in service for the next 50 years. The ship is undergoing a range of upgrades and modifications, including the installation of new radar systems and the integration of new aircraft, including the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. The ship is expected to play a key role in the Royal Navy's future operations, working closely with other Royal Navy ships, such as the HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08), and with Royal Air Force aircraft, including the Eurofighter Typhoon. The HMS Prince of Wales (R09) is also expected to work closely with other NATO navies, including the United States Navy and the French Navy, and to participate in a range of international exercises and operations, including the Exercise Joint Warrior and the Exercise Formidable Shield.