Navy

HMS Prince of Wales leaves Portsmouth for drone and fighter jet drills

Britain's biggest warship has set sail from Portsmouth on a landmark mission to North America and the Caribbean.

HMS Prince of Wales, one of two UK aircraft carriers, will cross the Atlantic with her task group to work with drones and fighter jets – the Navy says it will shape the way Queen Elizabeth-class vessels operate with the technologies.

The group will work with US allies, operating F-35B jets and uncrewed systems, while also stopping in New York, Halifax in Canada, and the Caribbean.

Commanding Officer, Captain Richard Hewitt, said: "Taking the HMS Prince of Wales task group across the Atlantic for the rest of this year will not only push the boundaries of UK carrier operations but will reinforce our close working relationship with our closest ally.

"From operating the F35 Lightnings and drones to hosting the Atlantic Future Forum, none of this would be possible without the efforts of the amazing sailors on board, many of which are on their first deployment with the Royal Navy."

The 65,000-tonne ship deploys initially alongside frigate HMS Richmond, tanker RFA Tideforce and an air group of helicopters and drones before F-35B stealth fighters join the deployment once the ship arrives in North America for the Westlant 22 deployment.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing the United States, especially New York from the flight deck of an aircraft carrier," said 23-year-old Able Seaman Owen Cooper, an aircraft handler.

"Getting the jets on board will definitely be a highlight, and operating on the deck with them."

As NATO's command ship, HMS Prince of Wales will remain at high readiness throughout her mission to the US – spearheading the naval element of the alliance's response force capable of being deployed rapidly to worldwide crises.

HMS Queen Elizabeth is set to deploy to the Mediterranean and Baltic this autumn, meaning both carriers will be operating F-35B jets thousands of miles apart.