Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:31:44-1:32:12

Why converting the Queen Elizabeth class to CATOBAR would be difficult

The carriers retained some design allowance for catapults and arresting gear, but realizing it later would still be a costly and disruptive conversion.

Aircraft CarriersCATOBARNaval ProcurementQueen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers
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Question

Could the Queen Elizabeth class be converted to electromagnetic catapults and arrested recovery?

Short answer

The design leaves a route to conversion, but carrying it out would be a major and probably uneconomic undertaking.

Notes

Design work preserved the possibility of converting the Queen Elizabeth class to CATOBAR operation. That allowance does not mean the equipment can be installed cheaply or without major changes to the ship. Structure, power, deck arrangements, and aviation support would all have to work with the new launch and recovery system. Technical plausibility and procurement sense are separate tests, and the conversion would be extremely expensive for the benefit obtained.