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\u003cp style=\u0022text-align: left;\u0022\u003eThe United Kingdom is on the cusp of regenerating what is a transformational capability. The first of the UK’s new-generation aircraft carriers, HMS \u003cem\u003eQueen Elizabeth\u003c/em\u003e, has been at sea on trials for two years, and is working up towards its first operational deployment in 2021. The second ship, HMS \u003cem\u003ePrince of Wales\u003c/em\u003e, is scheduled to be accepted into service before the end of the year. The F-35B \u003cem\u003eLightning\u003c/em\u003e II has achieved initial land-based operating capability and the Lightning Force has carried out its first overseas deployment, \u003cem\u003eLightning Dawn\u003c/em\u003e. Maritime aviation in the round has undergone a significant transformation, and there has been a substantial increased focus on collaboration and partnering with industry as well as developing stronger links with critical allies. \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\u0022text-align: left;\u0022\u003eTo underscore the significance of the undertaking, then secretary of state for defence Penny Mordaunt announced on 15 May 2019 that the UK planned to produce a National Aircraft Carrier Policy to lay down a blueprint for how the new carrier era would help deliver the UK’s global objectives. In addition, on 4 June, then prime minister Theresa May announced that the UK would earmark the \u003cem\u003eQueen Elizabeth\u003c/em\u003e-class carriers to form part of NATO’s significant new Readiness Initiative. \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\u0022text-align: left;\u0022\u003eThese developments have prompted thought and discussion on the extent to which the carrier programme will enable and actually drive the transformation of UK joint-force capabilities, and are posing questions about the demands such a programme will place on UK defence and industry. This paper considers both the opportunities and challenges that the carrier era presents in a number of key areas:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli style=\u0022text-align: left;\u0022\u003enational ambition\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli style=\u0022text-align: left;\u0022\u003ecreating a joint force that is international by design\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli style=\u0022text-align: left;\u0022\u003erapid capability development\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli style=\u0022text-align: left;\u0022\u003ethe underwater battlespace\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli style=\u0022text-align: left;\u0022\u003einter-service interoperability\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli style=\u0022text-align: left;\u0022\u003ereadiness and sustainability\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e","className":"richtext reading--content font-secondary"}), document.getElementById("react_oesbXt98wEevKUTqJxRsMQ"))});
Based on discussions at the Royal Navy’s inaugural Maritime Aviation Conference entitled ‘Advancing maritime aviation in the \u003ci\u003eQueen Elizabeth\u003c/i\u003e-Class era’, Nick Childs writes that the dawn of \u0027the \u003cem\u003eQueen Elizabeth\u003c/em\u003e-class era\u0027 is generating and demanding transformational thinking and action across the spectrum.
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