Invincible ClassType Designation: Light Aircraft Carrier, ASW (CVS)
Displacement: 20,600
tons full load. Current Air Groups (End
2001, excluding RAF Harrier GR7s): Notes:
Although now designated by the RN as light aircraft carriers the design was originally for a guided missile helicopter carrying "through-deck cruiser" (designated CGH, or later CAH) to replace the Tiger Class. This origin shows in the open forecastle, the only recently removed Sea Dart medium-range SAM system and the long island. Early artists impressions of the design even showed them carry Exocet SSM's. Unfortunately these cruiser type features compromised their aircraft operating capability by encroaching on the flight deck area and restricting the hanger size (particularly width, although this partly because of the space needed to accommodate the gas-turbine air intakes). A decision was taken after the construction of HMS Invincible had started to operate Sea Harrier STOVL aircraft and she was completed with the then revolutionary bow "Ski-Jump" to improve aircraft take off performance. The "scissors" design lifts have never proved satisfactory despite many modifications although plans to replace them with more conventionally designed chain lifts were never followed through due to the cost. They are lightly built with no armour. The ships have proved too small and cramped to operate a satisfactorily balanced air-group in the power-projection role for which they are now used (rather than the ASW role originally envisaged), although that more could have been done on the tonnage would seem to be proven by comparing them with the actually slightly smaller Italian Giuseppe Garibaldi and Spanish Princepe de Asturias. Significant work is now being to done to improve the capability of the Invincible Class airgroup, pending their long term replacement by a new class of much larger aircraft carriers.
It was planned that from about
2003 the JHF would become better integrated with the move of the RN
squadrons to RAF airfields and the establishment of two Joint Air
Wings. Each JAW to consist of a frontline RN Sea Harrier squadron,
still linked to a specific CVS, plus a RAF Harrier GR.7 squadron
attached on a rotating basis. However, on 28 February 2002
it was announced that the Sea Harrier FA.2 was to be withdrawn from
service, and the relocation of RN Sea Harrier squadrons from RN air
station Yeovilton to RAF Cottesmore and RAF Wittering in 2003 was
therefore cancelled. It is now expected that FA2 personnel
will transfer to the RAF bases to operate GR Harriers as FA2 squadrons
disband between 2004 and 2006. The change should be complete
within three years, and shortly afterwards it is intended that there
will be 50/50 RN/RAF manning across JFH. Under the new plans, by 2007
the Joint Force Harrier group (JFH) will be solely equipped with
upgraded Harrier GR9 aircraft. During a 1998-9 refit HMS Illustrious was given an extended flight deck and fitted with dedicated support facilities for the RAF Harrier GR7s. The Sea Dart SAM system was removed in order to provide an additional 8% of deck space for flight operations and aircraft parking, and increased magazine weapon stowage. The upgrade enables more efficient operation of RAF Harrier's when they are embarked on the carrier. HMS Invincible recommissioned in April 2000 after a similar refit at Portsmouth Dockyard that cost £24 million. The MoD has stated that including refits HMS Invincible (CVS) has cost £47 million p.a. to operate over the last 3 years, and HMS Illustrious (CVS), £39m. Both are scheduled for one more major refit before being paid-off. As an economy measure only two ships are normally in commission, and since 2000 only one has been fully operational, designate the "Fleet Ready Carrier". Since late 2000 the FRC has been HMS Illustrious, but she will be replaced HMS Ark Royal in the Spring of 2002. Ark Royal was laid up in reserve at Portsmouth on 180 days notice from 1994 until she started a long delayed major refit at Rosyth in 1999 which cost of £147 million. HMS Ark Royal was similarly modified as per her sister ships, but is also the first of the class to be given the capability to operate the new Merlin HM.1 helicopter and carry the updated Sea King AEW.7 rather than the AEW.2. Among the other features of the refit was increased aviation fuel storage, revamped Flyco, updated Operations Rooms, new main mast, modernized living quarters, and 1400 stronger aircraft lashing points. Ark Royal commenced sea trials in July 2001 and will recommission at Portsmouth Naval Base in November 2001, and she should be fully operational again by Spring 2002. Part of her airgroup will be 814 Naval Air Squadron which decommissioned in December 2000 but will recommission at RN air station Culdrose in late 2001. The squadron will have a strength of six Merlin HM Mk 1 aircraft. Ever since SDR was published in 1998 it had been widely and frequently speculated by the press that as a cost saving measure HMS Invincible will be disposed of prematurely, thereby avoiding the cost of the refit or the £10 million year it would cost to keep her in reserve. In response to this speculation, the Defence Secretary stated in early 2000 that "no decision has been taken" about her withdrawal from service (presumably was dependent on a substantial enough foreign offer for her sale, which has has not been forthcoming!), and it was officially announced in December 2000 that her refit will proceed. HMS Invincible will return to operational status in 2003 on completion of the refit, this will be her final commission before her planned pay-off for disposal in 2010. During the early part of 2001 HMS Invincible was used in an operational sea going and LPH role with a reduced crew. At the end of March 2001 she entered a period of reduced readiness and at the end of July sailed for Rosyth . Her tailored refit started at the end of 2001 and will last until late 2003. It's expected to cost about £50 million and will her keep its capabilities up-to-date until at least 2006. HMS Illustrious's next refit is scheduled to start at Rosyth Royal Dockyard in autumn 2002 and is expected to take about 23 months. The contract for the work was awarded to owners Babcock Defence Systems in June 2001, and is valued at £120 million. Currently HMS Illustrious is due to pay-off in 2012 and Ark Royal in 2015. Although its very unlikely they will ever be modified to carry JSF (see below) there remains a small possibility that if they have any remaining life they might be used for other purposes (e.g. conversion to an LPH) if a capability gap emerges for which they will be suitable and cost-effective. HMS Invincible cost £184.5 million when accepted 19 March 1980, Illustrious £214.4m on 18 June 1982, and Ark Royal £332.9m on 2 July 1985. Futher Special Refit Although its conclusions were never published, the FSR study apparently found that the CVS's cannot be cost-effectively altered to operate the Joint Strike Fighter (assuming the STOVL variant is purchased by the UK), partly because they are simply to small for a plane much larger than the Harrier. Adoption of the FSR option is now regarded as very unlikely by both defence and industry officials and the significance of the study has been played down by both. It has been suggested that the MoD aimed to utilise the study simply as a means of pre-empting Treasury pressure to accept the refit option by demonstrating at an early stage that a FSR is not a cost-effective alternative to CVF, and is only capable of producing short-term savings. Nevertheless, given the financially-vulnerable nature of the CVF programme as a large single and indivisible outlay in an era of defence economies and "Peace Dividends", continued opposition particularly - though not solely - from the Treasury can be anticipated, and the idea of extending the life of the Invincible's will remain in the active file for some years yet.
Back to Ships PageLast revised: 16 October 2001
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