Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 3:42:10-3:42:23

Queen Elizabeth-class airborne early warning in 2021

In January 2021, the carrier's airborne early-warning capability was still completing testing and modification for a planned deployment later that year.

Airborne Early WarningNaval AviationQueen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers
Watch at this timeFull video guide
Question

Did the Queen Elizabeth class have airborne early warning available?

Short answer

Not yet in January 2021; the capability was in final testing and modification for planned deployment later that year.

Notes

In January 2021, the Queen Elizabeth class did not yet have an operational airborne early-warning capability. The necessary pieces were being put in place, with final testing and modifications under way for a planned deployment later that year. The answer is a time-specific snapshot. It records the gap between commissioning a carrier and fielding its full supporting aviation system.