A mission by Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales went wrong after the warship broke down almost immediately after setting off for the US.
The giant aircraft carrier left Portsmouth Naval Base in Hampshire on Saturday (August 27) but suffered an “emerging mechanical issue” shortly afterwards.
A Royal Navy spokeswoman said: “HMS Prince of Wales remains in the South Coast Exercise Area while conducting investigations into an emerging mechanical issue.”
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The vessel’s departure was already delayed from Friday (August 26) after it suffered a technical issue.
(Image: PA)
However the Royal Navy didn’t give any further details about the malfunction or confirm whether Friday’s technical issue was related to the later mechanical problem.
The ill-fated ship had enjoyed an exciting send-off including a set by pop superstars the Sugarbabes as the VIctorious music festival coincided with the ship’s departure.
The Nato flagship had planned to sail to America for a series of exercises with the US Navy, Royal Canadian Navy and United States Marine Corps, with the programme expected to include exercises with the F-35B Lightning jets – which can reach top speeds of 1.6 times the speed of sound.
(Image: PA)
A Royal Navy spokesman said on Saturday: “HMS Prince of Wales will cross the Atlantic with her task group, ready to push the boundaries of un-crewed technology and the tactics used by the UK’s two new Queen Elizabeth-class carriers.
“Along with notable port stops in New York, Halifax in Canada, and the Caribbean, the next three months will see the Prince of Wales task group work closely with US allies, operating F-35B jets and un-crewed systems which will define Royal Navy aviation of the future.
(Image: Shaun Roster / SWNS)
“With fleet flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth also set to deploy to the Mediterranean and Baltic this autumn at the heart of a potent Royal Navy task group, it will mean both UK aircraft carriers will be operating F-35B jets thousands of miles apart.”
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