Britain's floating giants face limitations without catapults
Two British Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, despite their size, have limitations due to the lack of catapults. This affects the capabilities of the air group, which has been deprived of the support provided by onboard early warning aircraft.
The two British Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers—HMS "Queen Elizabeth" and HMS "Prince of Wales"—are vessels with a displacement of 71,650 tons that entered service in 2017 and 2019. Although technically modern, design assumptions limit the capabilities of these units, which were built at a cost of nearly 8 billion dollars.
One significant issue is the absence of catapults. This necessitates the launch of onboard aircraft using a bow "ski-jump"—a ramp that propels the aircraft upward. This limitation affects the weight, fuel, and armament the launching aircraft can carry and restricts the variety of potential onboard machines.
As the backbone of the air group for both vessels, the UK chose American F-35Bs, capable of vertical and short take-offs. However, such capabilities are not present in maritime early warning aircraft (AWACS) like the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye.
Merlin HM2 helicopters instead of AWACS
The role of AWACS was assigned to Merlin HM2 helicopters, which are equipped with the reconnaissance complex (Airborne Surveillance and Control – ASaC) known as Crowsnest. This includes a single, mechanically controlled radar system, lowered under the helicopter's fuselage after takeoff.
The theory that these helicopters would effectively replace maritime AWACS has not been proven. The lack of advanced reconnaissance machinery contributed to a simulated defeat of the British aircraft carrier—much newer and larger—in a confrontation with the French aircraft carrier "Charles de Gaulle". Despite the French ship being smaller and carrying 4th generation aircraft, it gained an advantage through superior reconnaissance capabilities.
Large drones as AWACS aircraft
As reported by the UK Defence Journal, the UK is considering supplementing the air group of both aircraft carriers with AWACS capabilities. However, instead of manned aircraft, large drones, such as the MQ-9B SkyGuardian, are being considered. These drones offer not only adequate payload but also a significantly longer flight time compared to helicopters.
According to the UK Defence Journal, tests of this solution are already underway, and successful launches of MQ-9B have been conducted from the deck of HMS "Prince of Wales," marking them as the largest drones ever launched from a Royal Navy ship.
