Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:23:55-2:24:57

Why one fleet carrier can outperform two aviation LHDs

Queen Elizabeth's strike-carrier layout and sortie-generation system matter more than simply comparing her air group with the combined aircraft on two American LHDs.

Aircraft CarriersCarrier AviationF-35 Lightning IILHDQueen Elizabeth Class Aircraft CarriersSortie Generation
Watch at this timeFull video guide
Question

How would HMS Queen Elizabeth compare with two American LHDs carrying full F-35B complements?

Short answer

Queen Elizabeth would hold the advantage because a purpose-built strike carrier can generate and sustain sorties more effectively than amphibious ships carrying similar aircraft.

Notes

Queen Elizabeth has the advantage because she is designed from the keel up to operate as a strike carrier. Her deck, support spaces, and procedures can generate a higher sustained sortie rate from a full air group. American LHDs can embark substantial numbers of F-35Bs, but aviation is only one of their amphibious roles and their flight operations are not optimized to the same degree. The comparison turns on how quickly aircraft can be armed, launched, recovered, and relaunched rather than on hull or aircraft counts alone.