New upgrade to Royal Navy aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales takes them to 'new level'

By Tom Cotterill
Published 27th May 2021, 16:11 GMT
Updated 28th May 2021, 17:39 GMT
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BRITAIN’S two new aircraft carriers are getting supped up communications systems that will ‘take them to a new level’.

Flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth has already had the overhaul to its communication management system, which will help her acting as a floating headquarters for a multi-national carrier strike group.

The upgrade to Queen Elizabeth was completed before she set off on her 28-week maiden mission last Saturday.

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Her sister ship, HMS Prince of Wales, is currently undergoing the work, which is being carried out be by a team of 50 specialists from defence firm Thales.

HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Queen Elizabeth pictured at sea for the first time. Wednesday 19 May 2021 saw a historic moment in Britain’s carrier renaissance as HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales met at sea for the first time. With two 65,000 tonne carriers in operational service, Britain has a continuous carrier strike capability, with one vessel always ready to respond to global events at short notice.HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Queen Elizabeth pictured at sea for the first time. Wednesday 19 May 2021 saw a historic moment in Britain’s carrier renaissance as HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales met at sea for the first time. With two 65,000 tonne carriers in operational service, Britain has a continuous carrier strike capability, with one vessel always ready to respond to global events at short notice.
HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Queen Elizabeth pictured at sea for the first time. Wednesday 19 May 2021 saw a historic moment in Britain’s carrier renaissance as HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales met at sea for the first time. With two 65,000 tonne carriers in operational service, Britain has a continuous carrier strike capability, with one vessel always ready to respond to global events at short notice.
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HMS Prince of Wales returns to Portsmouth to collect supplies following sea trai...

Winston Mahaffy, managing director of Thales’ naval communications business said the ship’s comms systems before the upgrade was already ‘world-leading’.

‘But this upgrade takes the carrier’s capability to a whole new level, enabling the carrier as a cutting-edge command platform for both the Royal Navy and other navies which is such an essential feature of international naval operations today,’ he added.

SEE ALSO: Royal Navy makes history as first woman is promoted to admiral

Related topics:Royal NavyHMSHMS Queen ElizabethPrince of Wales

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