HMS Queen Elizabeth: Royal Navy aircraft carrier seen travelling in Westlant 19 taskforce

NAVAL chiefs have revealed a glimpse of what Britain's future carrier strike group may look like with HMS Queen Elizabeth snapped with a destroyer and support vessel.
By David George
Published 10th Sep 2019, 11:29 BST
Updated 10th Sep 2019, 19:02 BST

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The Portsmouth based aircraft carrier set sail from the city on August 30 for a fresh round of sea trials, which include tests for the F-35B Lightning stealth jets.

The 65,000-tonne carrier is taking part in Westlant 19 – an operation that will push the F35Bs and the carrier to their limits on the American eastern seaboard. She will be back for Christmas.

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What is Westlant 19?

This morning, the carrier’s Twitter account posted a photograph of the £3.1bn aircraft carrier, Portsmouth-based Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon and tanker RFA Tideforce. The RFA vessel is second in size only to HMS Queen Elizabeth.

The tweet said: ‘It may look 50 shades of grey to you, but it’s a beautiful sight to us – building the foundations of the UK Carrier Strike Group 2021.

‘@HMSNORT [HMS Northumberland] see you in this picture soon.’

ALSO READ: Royal Navy flagship receives emotional Portsmouth send-off from crowds

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HMS Queen Elizabeth, right, with HMS Dragon and RFA Tideforce on the eastern seaboard. Picture: Royal Navy/@HMSQNLZHMS Queen Elizabeth, right, with HMS Dragon and RFA Tideforce on the eastern seaboard. Picture: Royal Navy/@HMSQNLZ
HMS Queen Elizabeth, right, with HMS Dragon and RFA Tideforce on the eastern seaboard. Picture: Royal Navy/@HMSQNLZ

Seven F-35B fighter jets are taking part in the Westlant 19 operation, alongside Merlin and Wildcat helicopters.

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Related topics:HMS Queen ElizabethBritainPortsmouthRoyal NavyTwitter

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