HMS Queen Elizabeth floats for the first time

In July the UK's largest ever warship, HMS Queen Elizabeth, was successfully floated out of the dock in which she was assembled.

In an operation that started earlier this week, the dry dock in Rosyth near Edinburgh was flooded for the first time to allow the 65,000 tonne aircraft carrier to float. It then took only three hours to carefully manoeuvre the carrier out of the dock with just two metres clearance at either side and then berth her alongside a nearby jetty.

Teams will now continue to outfit the ship and steadily bring her systems to life in preparation for sea trials in 2016. The dock she vacates will be used for final assembly of her sister ship, HMS Prince of Wales, which will begin in September.

Both ships are being delivered by the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, a unique partnership between the Ministry of Defence, Thales UK, BAE Systems, and Babcock.

Some Key Facts about the Aircraft Carriers:

1. 65,000 tonnes. The ships will be 65,000 tonnes at full displacement – over three times the size of the current Invincible Class Aircraft Carriers.

2. 8,000-10,000 nautical miles. Range of 8,000 to 10,000 nautical miles.

3. 80 megawatts. Each ship has two propellers which together will output 80 megawatts of power - enough to run 1,000 family cars or 50 high speed trains. 

4. 56 metres. 56 metres tall from keel to masthead, which is four metres taller than Niagara Falls! 

5. 300,000 kettles. The distribution network on board will manage enough energy to power 300,000 kettles or 5,500 family homes.

6. 370 acres. Each ship has 1.5 million square metres of paintwork, which is 370 acres or slightly more than acreage of Hyde Park.

7. 33 tonnes. Each ship’s two propellers will weigh 33 tonnes each - nearly two and half times as heavy as a double decker bus and one and half times as high.

8. 25 knots. Capable of a top speed in excess of 25 knots.

9. 80,000 tonnes. 80,000 tonnes of steel will be used in the construction of the two ships, three times that used in Wembley Stadium.

10. 60 seconds. Each of the two huge aircraft lifts can move two Joint Strike Fighters from the hangar to the flight deck in 60 seconds. They’re so powerful that together they could lift the entire ship’s crew.