The Queen Elizabeth class combines two MT30 gas turbines with four diesels, with total generating power quoted as 118 MW. Four electric motors drive two shafts through the integrated electric propulsion system. Alternatives included four identical large diesels or a third gas turbine, with the extra turbine allowing two to remain available while another was out of service. Longer carrier proposals also tended to include a third shaft. Prince of Wales's shaft problems illustrate the faults that can emerge when thousands of systems enter service together, even after modelling and quality control.
Notable Point · 39:39-42:16
Propulsion redundancy and shaft risk
Debates over an additional gas turbine, common diesel engines, and a third shaft show the redundancy and maintenance choices behind the carriers' propulsion.