|
Invincible-class light aircraft carrier
of the Royal Navy |
The Invincible class were originally intended as 'through-deck cruiser' ASW platforms to replace the ageing helicopter cruisers Tiger and Blake.
Their design was then changed to include the ability to operate V/STOL aircraft and finally to the current STOVL aircraft carrier.
|
The Invincibles have a slightly angled, almost full length, flight deck and a large starboard island running over half the length of the ship.
A 'ski-jump' is fitted at the bow to allow the use of Sea Harrier aircraft with full fuel and weapons loads (with which they are too heavy for VTOL operation). |
 |
Ark Royal (which was laid down as Indomitable but renamed when Ark Royal (R09) decommissioned) was completed to a slightly modified design with more command facilities and a 12 rather than 7 degree ski-jump placed 40 ft. further forward than on the other two ships.
This created more deck space allowing a slightly larger air group. Invincible and Illustrious have been refitted to a similar standard as well as improved CIWS guns and a further increase in deck space and command facilities. |
 |
Further recent refits have seen the removal of the Sea Dart launcher and magazine allowing a considerable deck extension in place of the launcher and a weapon magazine dedicated to Harrier GR7 armaments in place of the Sea Dart missiles.
This allows the operation (when required) of an 11 aircraft fixed wing air group
(8 FA2, 3 GR7) instead of the previous 9
Only two of these three ships are in service at any one time with the third in refit or reserve. |
|
|
_Norfolk_redigerad-3.jpg) |
| Name: HMS Invincible (R05) |
| Commissioned: 11 July 1980 |
| Complement:1100 (including air group) |
| Displacement: 19,500 tons full load |
| Length: 689 ft (210 m) |
| Speed: 30 kts |
| Range: 5,000 nmiles at 18 knots ; 3,000 tons fuel oil |
Armament: 3 × Goalkeeper CIWS
2 × GAM-B01 20 mm close-range guns
|
| Aircrafts carried: 20 |
| Fate: Decommissions 3 August 2005, and will remain available to the Navy until 2010. |
| Navy site |
|
 |
| Name: HMS Illustrious (R06) |
| Commissioned: 20 June 1982 |
| Complement: 1100 (including air group) |
| Displacement: 19,500 tons full load |
| Length: 686 ft (209 m) |
| Speed: 30 kts |
| Range: 5,000 nmiles at 18 knots ; 3,000 tons fuel oil |
Armament: 3 × Goalkeeper CIWS
2 × GAM-B01
20 mm close-range guns |
| Aircrafts carried: Up to 22 |
| Fate: Active in service |
| Navy site |
|
_redigerad-3.jpg) |
| Name: HMS Ark Royal (R07) |
| Commissioned: |
| Complement: 1318 (including air group) |
| Displacement: 20,235 tonnes. |
| Length: 211.4 metres (693 feet) |
| Speed: 30 kts |
| Range: 5,000 nmiles at 18 knots ; 3,000 tons fuel oil |
Armament: 3 x Phalanx/Goalkeeper (CIWS)
2 x 20mm Close range guns |
| Aircrafts carried: 22 |
| Fate: Active in service |
| Navy site |
|
|
|
Aircraft carried in Invincible-class
Text from Royal Navy
|
| |
|
 |
Multi-role combat aircraft capable of vertical/short take off and landing.
• Part of Joint Force Harrier, operating from land bases or aircraft carriers.
• Comprehensive weapons capability including bombs, rockets or missile.
• Can operate at night, at low level, using night vision goggles.
• Cockpit gives navigation and weapons information on colour displays.
The Harrier GR7 is a single seat, multi-role combat aircraft that is capable of operating in extreme environments and from a wide selection of locations, including deployed air bases and aircraft carriers. |
| |
Sea King MK7 ASaC |
-30-11-2005]AEW.jpg) |
Representing another major increase in operational capability, the Sea King ASaC (Airborne Surveillance and Control) is currently replacing the elderly MK2 AEW variant, which was rushed into service after experiences learned during the Falklands War.
Powered by two Rolls Royce Gnome H engines, it offers unprecedented performance advantages over its predecessor in terms of endurance, sophisticated avionics, crew comfort and command and control facilities.
With these factors in mind, as well as the airframe’s flexibility to execute various missions, the MK7 is at the forefront of delivering and co-ordinating maritime force projection. |
| |
|
 |
The Merlin represents a quantum leap in the Royal Navy’s capability of conducting advanced, airborne, Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Anti Surface Warfare (ASuW) operations in order to optimise access to the maritime battlefield and ensure theatre entry.
Three Rolls Royce Turbomeca gas turbines power it’s highly modern, aluminium composite airframe, which weighs in at a fully mission laden 14,600kg.
Modular in design, its state of the art navigation, fire control, electronic warfare, communications and sonar systems make the Merlin one of the most advanced helicopters, in its class, in the world.
Anti Submarine
Search & Strike
Surface Surveillance
Troop/Tactical Movement
Search and Rescue
Vertical Replenishment
Casualty Evacuation
Weapons: Up to four Sting Ray torpedoes or depth charges |
| |
Chinook CH-47 |
 |
The RAF Chinook fleet performs the role of the heavy-lift element of Joint Helicopter Command and has been used extensively in recent operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Sierra Leone and in the Balkans.
Primarily used as a Battlefield Support Helicopter – it can lift up to 54 troops or carry 10 tonnes of freight (both internal and underslung) – the Chinook is equally capable as a SAR or CASEVAC platform. Powered by two Avro Lycoming turboshaft engines and armed with automatic weapons it is equally at home operating from the deck of a CVS or a roughly prepared airstrip, making it a highly versatile aircraft |
| |
Apache Longbow AH-64D |
 |
In July 1995, the Apache Longbow was selected to fulfil the UK Army Attack Helicopter requirement and the first Apache entered service in January 2001with the 1st Battalion of the 227th Aviation Regiment.
A total of 67 are on order with Initial Operating Capability scheduled for late 2004. Powered by two Rolls Royce / Turbomeca RTM322 engines, the Apache is equipped with the latest in target acquisition sensors, electronic countermeasures and precision guided munitions.
The Apache weapons payload can be fully tailored for a particular mission, for example when operating in the Close Air Support (CAS) role, it can carry a mixture of Hellfire missiles, air-air missiles and cannon rounds. The procurement of a navalised version of the AH-64 is currently being considered and would significantly increase the RN’s maritime strike capability. |
| |
Source:www.btinternet.com and
Royal Navy
|
| |
Layout: www.wikimedia.name
www.aircraftcarrier.name by wikimedia.name is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Norway License.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at www.aircraftcarrier.name/copyright. 
