HMS Illustrious has begun sea trials following the completion of a £40m maintenance and upgrade programme.
HMS Illustrious leaves Rosyth to commence preliminary sea trials after her 16-month refit
The 22,000-tonne ship, affectionately known as 'Lusty', left Rosyth in Fife over the weekend after 16 months in the dockyard where she underwent modifications to turn her into a helicopter and commando carrier, capable of carrying a force of up to 20 helicopters and 600 fully kitted-out personnel.
The work was carried out by a partnership of Babcock Marine, the ship's company, MOD and BAE Systems. Other work on HMS Illustrious included:
applying 540,000 litres of paint to the ship, including a fuel-efficient outer hull coating that will save tonnes of fuel and CO2 emissions over her remaining life;
other improvements that lower the ship's environmental impact, including reverse osmosis fresh water-making systems;
installation of a new computer and communications system and a defensive anti-torpedo system;
improvements to the living conditions for the crew and any embarked troops.
Read more here: http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EquipmentAndLogistics/AnUpgradedHmsIllustriousBeginsSeaTrials.htm
not the carrier we need, but a welcome addition to the fleet, especially in this current climate.
HMS Illustrious leaves Rosyth to commence preliminary sea trials after her 16-month refit
The 22,000-tonne ship, affectionately known as 'Lusty', left Rosyth in Fife over the weekend after 16 months in the dockyard where she underwent modifications to turn her into a helicopter and commando carrier, capable of carrying a force of up to 20 helicopters and 600 fully kitted-out personnel.
The work was carried out by a partnership of Babcock Marine, the ship's company, MOD and BAE Systems. Other work on HMS Illustrious included:
applying 540,000 litres of paint to the ship, including a fuel-efficient outer hull coating that will save tonnes of fuel and CO2 emissions over her remaining life;
other improvements that lower the ship's environmental impact, including reverse osmosis fresh water-making systems;
installation of a new computer and communications system and a defensive anti-torpedo system;
improvements to the living conditions for the crew and any embarked troops.
Read more here: http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EquipmentAndLogistics/AnUpgradedHmsIllustriousBeginsSeaTrials.htm
not the carrier we need, but a welcome addition to the fleet, especially in this current climate.
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