Editing Royal Navy (section)

====Aircraft carriers====
[[File:HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) underway during trials with HMS Sutherland (F81) and HMS Iron Duke (F234) on 28 June 2017 (45162784).jpg|thumb|{{HMS|Queen Elizabeth|R08|6}}, a {{sclass|Queen Elizabeth|aircraft carrier|0}} aircraft carrier, on sea trials in June 2017]]
The Royal Navy has two ''Queen Elizabeth''-class aircraft carriers. Each carrier cost £3.2 billion and has an empty load displacement of {{Convert|65000|t}},<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/equipment/ships/queen-elizabeth-class |title=Queen Elizabeth class |website=Royal Navy|language=en|access-date=28 December 2024}}</ref> rising up to an estimated {{Convert|80600|t}} full load displacement.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Pape |first=Alex|title=Jane's Fighting Ships 2023-2024|date=April 2023 |publisher=Jane's Information Group Limited |isbn=9780710634283 |location=United Kingdom |pages=886 |language=en}}</ref> Both are intended to operate the STOVL variant of the [[F-35 Lightning II]]. The first, {{HMS|Queen Elizabeth|R08|6}}, commenced flight trials in 2018.  ''Queen Elizabeth'' began sea trials in June 2017, was commissioned later that year, and entered service in 2020,<ref>{{Cite web|date=25 June 2020|title=HMS Queen Elizabeth Successfully Completes Operational Sea Training|url=https://www.overtdefense.com/2020/06/25/hms-queen-elizabeth-successfully-completes-operational-sea-training/|access-date=28 January 2021|website=Overt Defense|language=en-CA}}</ref> while the second, {{HMS|Prince of Wales|R09|6}}, began sea trials on 22 September 2019, was commissioned in December 2019 and was declared operational as of October 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/10/royal-navy-declares-aircraft-carrier-hms-prince-of-wales-operational/|title=Royal Navy Declares Aircraft Carrier HMS Prince of Wales Operational|date=2 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Queen Elizabeth Due To Set Sail From Rosyth today|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-40402153|date=26 June 2017|work=BBC News|access-date=26 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626061807/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-40402153|archive-date=26 June 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="facts">{{cite web |url=http://www.aircraftcarrieralliance.co.uk/~/media/Files/A/Aircraft-Carrier-Alliance-V2/documents/key-facts-v2.pdf |title=Key facts about the Queen Elizabeth Class |publisher=Aircraft Carrier Alliance |access-date=12 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728173319/http://www.aircraftcarrieralliance.co.uk/~/media/Files/A/Aircraft-Carrier-Alliance-V2/documents/key-facts-v2.pdf |archive-date=28 July 2017 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2016/january/13/160113-hms-prince-of-wales-iconic-structure-installed |title=Iconic structure is installed on HMS Prince of Wales |access-date=12 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702112402/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2016/january/13/160113-hms-prince-of-wales-iconic-structure-installed |archive-date=2 July 2017 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2019/december/10/191210-hms-prince-of-wales-commissioning|title=Commissioning day for HMS Prince of Wales|website=Royal Navy|language=en|access-date=2 January 2020}}</ref> The aircraft carriers form a central part of the [[UK Carrier Strike Group]] alongside escorts and support ships.<ref name="assemble">{{cite news |title=UK Carrier Strike Group Assembles for the First Time |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2020/october/05/201005-hms-queen-elizabeth-carrier-strike |access-date=5 November 2020 |agency=Royal Navy |date=5 October 2020}}</ref>