Almost the full length of a
football pitch, the structure and largest section of hull under construction is
so large that it stretches beyond the doors of the ship build hall in which it
sits.
Lower Block 04 when complete, will
contain 12,000 pipes and 100,000 kilometres of cables, ahead of her departure
to Rosyth later this year.
Housing the two main engine
rooms, a medical area and accommodation, LB04 will weigh over 11,000 tonnes on
completion, stand over 23 metres tall, 86 metres long and 40 metres wide. The
block, which will be transported to Rosyth in the Autumn, will be the last hull
section of HMS Queen Elizabeth to arrive and will join the other units and
sections of the ship in dry dock where she is being assembled.
At Govan, work also continues on
the mid section of the second ship, HMS Prince of Wales. Since the first steel
was cut on this section in May last year, over 80 units of LB03 are currently
in production. Meanwhile, workers at BAE Systems in Portsmouth are gearing up for the transit of
Lower Block 05 and Lower Block 02 of HMS Queen Elizabeth to Rosyth at the end
of April and May respectively.
The aircraft carriers HMS Queen
Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales are being delivered by the Aircraft Carrier
Alliance, a unique partnering relationship between BAE Systems, Thales UK, Babcock and
the UK Ministry of Defence. BAE Systems has an overarching role in managing the
QE Class programme, as well as playing a central role in the design and build
of the ships.
The QE Class will be the centre
piece of Britain’s
military capability. Each 65,000 tonne aircraft carrier will provide the armed
forces with a four acre military operating base which can be deployed
worldwide. The vessels will be versatile enough to be used for operations
ranging from supporting war efforts to providing humanitarian aid and disaster
relief.
HUGE thanks to Gillian for the arranging of the visit
HUGE thanks to Gillian for the arranging of the visit
Lower Block 04 is seen here in the shed in Govan
And the very early stages of Prince Of Wales (but maybe renamed to Ark Royal)
