Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:41:40-1:46:07

Extending Queen Elizabeth-class carriers at midlife

Adding a center section could preserve air-group capacity and enable catapult conversion, unlike historical refit proposals that lacked internal volume.

Aircraft CarriersArk RoyalCarrier Air GroupsCarrier RefitsCatapultsNaval AviationQueen Elizabeth Class Aircraft CarriersRoyal Navy
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Question

What should succeed the Queen Elizabeth-class carriers?

Short answer

The design must follow future air-group needs, and a major midlife lengthening of the current ships may preserve capability before a successor is required.

Notes

The successor question depends on the aircraft and air group the Royal Navy will need. One option under discussion is inserting a new center section during midlife work on the Queen Elizabeth class. Extra length and internal volume could accommodate catapults, larger aircraft, or growth in supporting systems without allowing the usable air group to shrink. The comparison with Ark Royal shows why ambitious modernization fails when added machinery has no hull volume available, since the historical proposal specifically excluded such a center insertion. Carrier longevity depends on physical growth margin established before the future aircraft are known.