How Many Aircraft Can the Queen Elizabeth Class Carrier Carry?

The capacity of an aircraft carrier, such as the Queen Elizabeth class, to carry aircraft is not just a simple matter of physical space. Various factors, including the efficiency and practicality of launching and recovering aircraft, play a crucial role. Let's explore the details.

General Capacity and Efficiency

The maximum number of aircraft a carrier can carry can vary widely. The rule of thumb for determining a reasonable number of aircraft to operate efficiently is to divide the displacement of the carrier in tonnes by 1000. For the Queen Elizabeth (QE), with a displacement of 70,000 tonnes, this gives a base number of 70. From here, we can estimate the number of aircraft the carrier can operate under different scenarios.

Base Number and Utilization

50 Aircraft: This is the ideal number for effective operation. With 75 aircraft, the space is utilized optimally without overlapping operations, though a few inefficiencies may still occur.

100 Aircraft: This number is feasible, but the complexity and slowness due to the numerous operations will become evident.

125-150 Aircraft: This is the absolute ferry capacity, the maximum number that can be accommodated on board with the carrier maintaining enough space to launch and land one aircraft at a time. However, this leaves little room for useful flight operations.

Support Missions and Operational Constraints

For support missions, the number of aircraft that can be carried without disrupting combat operations is even lower. If the carrier is to provide full support, every square inch of hangar and deck space would be utilized, making it impossible to conduct combat operations. As such, the carrier would essentially function as a giant taxi, with many of the fighters being transferred to land bases.

Practical Scenario

In a hypothetical situation, such as a second Falklands War, the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force might need to deploy a maximum number of aircraft quickly. However, in reality, this capability is unlikely to be used, and the number of aircraft that can realistically be operated is closer to 50 to 75.

Special Cases and Idiosyncrasies

Special cases and individual circumstances must also be considered. For example, the Queen Elizabeth herself, who is 96 years old, would find carrying an aircraft challenging. She could only hold one aircraft at a time due to physical limitations, even though she is a highly respected and admired icon.

Parental Humor and Comparisons

It's amusing to compare the Queen Elizabeth's carrying capacity to the capabilities of a person. For instance, carrying an aircraft, even for someone as impressive as the Queen, would be a bit much. Given that she is in her 90s, carrying an aircraft is beyond her physical capabilities and would only be practical in a playfully exaggerated scenario.

Conclusion

When it comes to the Queen Elizabeth class carriers, the number of aircraft that can be carried and operated efficiently is a complex matter. The practicalities of aircraft carrier operation, including physical limitations and operational constraints, play a significant role in determining the number of aircraft that can be effectively utilized.