The Future Aircraft Carrier

The engineering and technical challenges of designing and building the largest ever warships for the Royal Navy.

20th March 2007, The Royal Academy of Engineering, London, UK

Speaker: John D Coles CB FREng Future Aircraft Carrier (CVF)

Chairman: Sir John Parker FREng Chairman, National Grid plc

The Future Aircraft Carrier for the Royal Navy will, at some 65,000 tonnes, be the largest warship ever built in the united kingdom and is expected to have a service life of 40 to 50 years.  It is being designed to operate the Short Take-off, Vertical Landing variant of the US designed multi-role Joint Strike Fighter.  Due to the life expectancy of the Carrier, it is also being designed with an in-built capacity to be able to be adapted later in life, with the addition of catapults and arrestor gear, to operate conventional carrier aircraft if needed.

The engineering and technical demands are challenging and have resulted in a number of innovations, including the adaptable design, a split island superstructure, engine location and advanced environmental considerations.  The exceptional size of the carrier means that it will need to draw on the skills and facilities of several shipyards, with integration at a single yard.

John Cole will explain how the challenges have been met and overcome and how the Ministry of Defence remains on course to provide the UK armed forces with the largest and most powerful warships ever constructed in the UK and the most capable carrier force outside of the US.

Date:    Tuesday 20th March   

Venue:  The Royal Academy of Engineering, 29 Great Peter Street, London SW1P 3LW

Programme:

4.00pm     Registration

4.30pm     Welcome by Sir John Parker FREng

4.40pm     The Future Aircraft Carrier - The engineering and technical challenges of designing and building the largest ever warships for the Royal Navy by John D Coles CB FREng

5.30pm     Question and answer session

6.00pm     Drinks reception

7.00pm     Close

To download further information and a booking form, please click here.

For further information please contact Jacqueline Cox, Communications Department at by Tel: 020 7227 0531 or Fax: 020 7233 0054 or by post to: Communications Department, The Royal Academy of Engineering, 29 Great Peter Street, London SW1P 3LW.