The Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth sailed from Portsmouth on July 16 after completing the first phase of a planned maintenance period.
The carrier will first conduct essential sea trials in UK waters to test its newly-installed navigation and propulsion control systems. Following the trials, the ship will sail to Rosyth, Scotland, for a scheduled seven-month period in dry dock at the Babcock Dockyard.
According to the navy, the overhaul follows a busy six years of operations for the vessel, including a global deployment in 2021. The first nine months of the refit involved extensive engineering work in Portsmouth and training for the ship's company.
Captain Claire Thompson, the ship’s commanding officer, stated that a significant upgrade to the vessel's propulsion system was the most notable item among the engineering projects completed.
Fleet operational standards and training teams will also be coming aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth during its sea trials to conduct an assessment of the ability of the ship's company to deal with on-board emergencies, such as damage control and fire and floods training.