New carrier’s operations room ready for use
The operations room of the Royal Navy’s second aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, is ready for use two months earlier than planned, the navy announced on 28 August.
The operations room is where the crew of Prince of Wales will conduct surveillance and direct missions, and track the movements of the carrier’s F-35B Lightning jets and Merlin helicopters.
Engineers and technicians from the aircraft carrier alliance worked together with Royal Navy experts to ensure that all the equipment and cabling is in place and the computer systems are able to process the masses of sensor, radar and external source data coming into the ship.
It is the latest part of the ship to be finished and handed over; watches are already being run in the ship control centre, which oversees the marine engineering aspects of the 65,000t carrier.
In all, more than 3,000 compartments have to be signed off before the carrier leaves Rosyth to undergo sea trials next year in the hands of a combined Royal Navy-civilian crew.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Red Cat expands its manufacturing capacities to surge production of UAVs and USVs]()
Red Cat expands its manufacturing capacities to surge production of UAVs and USVs
The company has invested $80 million to enhance its facilities and establish a new maritime division.
-
![Zumwalt-class hypersonic missile plan progresses with demonstration set for 2027]()
Zumwalt-class hypersonic missile plan progresses with demonstration set for 2027
The US Navy’s Zumwalt-class destroyer is a stealth ship originally designed to consist of a fleet of 32 but has been cut back to three. Conceived for a land-attack role, it is now being fitted with a hypersonic missile capability.
-
![How powerful is the US fleet of nuclear submarines compared to Russian capabilities?]()
How powerful is the US fleet of nuclear submarines compared to Russian capabilities?
Although both countries still operate Cold War-era platforms, they possess capable nuclear-powered and armed submarines and are investing in the development of new, advanced capabilities.
-
![Royal Australian Navy’s plan for fleet refresh continues in the face of headwinds]()
Royal Australian Navy’s plan for fleet refresh continues in the face of headwinds
Australia has selected the Mogami-class frigate from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) to replace Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Anzac-class frigates. The decision has been made as the RAN pushes to introduce delayed offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), awaits criticised Hunter-class ships and lives in the shadow of threats to the Collins-class submarine replacement efforts.
