The Project and A Role for Barrow

The two future aircraft carriers HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Queen Elizabeth will be built as separate sections in ‘mega-blocks’ largely pre-outfitted. Click opposite to see a video about the project.

Barrow will build each mega-block number three as part of a £300m contract from the Aircraft Carrier Alliance. A new £30-40m build hall is being built at Barrow by Shepherd construction to enable the build work to go ahead, megablock three will be launched from Barrow's  Superberth.It will then be floated off to  a dry-dock at Rosyth in Scotland. Two large new aircraft carriers, are currently anticipated to come into service with the Royal Navy in 2014 and 2016, to replace the ‘Invincible’ class with more capable vessels. The ships will cost over £3 billion.


To find out more about how northwest England’s shipyard at Barrow-in-Furness can have a key role in the future aircraft carrier project Click here

View the official Royal Navy CVF website Click here  .

Operational Roles of the Aircraft Carriers

The Aircraft Carriers will beat the heart of the UK’s Force Projection capability, offering an ability to deploy offensive air power. The carriers will be designed for operating 34-40 STOVL aircraft, some reports suggest the carrier is being designed to support up to 150 sorties per day by multi-role aircraft, 4 airborne early warning aircraft and helicopters. Each carrier will have capability to accommodate catapult and arrester gear, but they will not be fitted initially.