Q&A · 2:03:23-2:03:47

How littoral strike ships could supplement Britain's two fleet carriers

The littoral strike ship concept could grow into two or perhaps three ski-jump LHDs, adding distributed amphibious and aviation capacity.

Question

Could Britain's planned littoral strike ships address the limits of having only two aircraft carriers?

Short answer

Possibly: the concept could evolve into two or three ski-jump LHDs.

Notes

Two Queen Elizabeth-class carriers cannot cover every demand placed on British naval aviation. The planned littoral strike ships could provide supplementary aviation platforms. In this forecast, the concept evolves into two and perhaps three LHD-style amphibious assault ships fitted with ski jumps. Those ships would expand distributed amphibious and aviation capacity without replacing the fleet carriers.