UK Carrier Strike Group
Formation of the Royal Navy (created 2006) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the formation specific to the Royal Navy. For the United States Navy's similar formation, see Carrier strike group. For the general doctrine of a fleet centered around an aircraft carrier, see Carrier battle group.
The UK Carrier Strike Group (UKCSG) is a carrier battle group of the Royal Navy. It has existed in various forms since the mid-2000s.[1][2] Between 2006 and 2011, the formation centred around the Royal Navy's Invincible-class aircraft carriers until the retirement of their Harrier GR9 strike aircraft in 2011 as a result of the Strategic Defence and Security Review. The UKCSG subsequently returned in February 2015 ahead of the entry into service of the new Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.[2] The aim of the CSG is to facilitate carrier-enabled power projection.[3]
Quick Facts Active, Country ...
UK Carrier Strike Group | |
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Active | 2006 – 2011 2015 – present |
Country | United Kingdom |
Branch | Royal Navy |
Type | Carrier battle group |
Size | 1 x Queen Elizabeth-class carrier; 2+ x escorts (Type 45 destroyer and Type 23 frigate); 1+ x AOR; 1+ x Astute/Trafalgar-class attack submarine |
Commanders | |
Current commander | Commodore James Blackmore Commander United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group |
Aircraft flown | |
Attack | Wildcat HMA2 |
Fighter | F-35B Lightning II |
Attack helicopter | Apache AH1, Wildcat AH1 |
Patrol | Merlin HM2, Wildcat HMA2, Merlin HM2 Crowsnest |
Transport | Merlin Mk3i/4, Chinook HC4/5/6/6A |
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