HMS Ark Royal was a light aircraft carrier and former flagship of the Royal Navy. She was the third and final vessel of the Invincible class. She was built by Swan Hunter on the River Tyne and launched by them in 1981. Ark Royal was christened by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. She followed sister ships HMS Invincible and HMS Illustrious into service in 1985.
HMS Ark Royal alongside at Portsmouth in 2007
Image: HMS Ark Royal Badge
HMS Ark Royal at Wallsend during construction, 10 March 1981
HMS Ark Royal being launched on 2 June 1981.
A light aircraft carrier, or light fleet carrier, is an aircraft carrier smaller than the standard carriers of a navy. The precise definition of the type varies by country; light carriers typically have a complement of aircraft only one-half to two-thirds the size of a full-sized fleet carrier. A light carrier was similar in concept to an escort carrier in most respects, however light carriers were intended for higher speeds to be deployed alongside fleet carriers, while escort carriers usually defended equally slow convoys and provided air support during amphibious operations.
Italian Navy's Giuseppe Garibaldi. All modern light aircraft carriers are equipped with ski jump ramps.
Royal Navy's HMS Invincible is the first light aircraft carrier equipped with a ski jump ramp.
Light carrier Cavour of the Italian Navy
Juan Carlos I of the Spanish Navy