Ark Royal in Greenwich dock, London
Career
Ordered:
Laid down:	7 December 1978
Launched:	20 June 1981
Commissioned:	1 November 1985
Decommissioned:
Fate:	Active in service as of 2005.
Struck:
General Characteristics
Displacement:	20,600 tons
Length:	210 metres
Beam:	36 metres
Draught:	7.5 metres
Propulsion:	Four Rolls-Royce Olympus TM3B gas turbines
Speed:	28+ knots
Range:	5000 miles at 18 knots
Complement:	685 crew, 366 Fleet Air Arm
Armament:	Three Mark 15 Phalanx CIWS, Two GAM-B01 20mm guns
Aircraft:	Sea Harrier fighter/bomber "jump jets", Sea King helicopters
Motto:	Zeal Does Not Rest

HMS Ark Royal (R07), the last Invincible-class aircraft carrier, is the fifth ship of the Royal Navy named in honour of the flagship of the English fleet that defeated the Spanish Armada. Her keel was laid by Swan Hunter at Wallsend on 7 December 1978. She was launched on 20 June 1981 sponsored by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother and commissioned on 1 November 1985. Her name was expected to be Indomitable to be compatible with her sister ships (HMS Invincible and HMS Illustrious), but the Royal Navy revived the tradition of always having an Ark Royal.

In May 1999 Ark Royal put into Rosyth for refitting, including the removal of the Sea Dart missiles and the replacement of the Goalkeeper CIWS with Phalanx CIWS. She recommissioned in 2001.

Ark Royal, commanded by Captain Alan Massey, took part in the 2003 invasion of Iraq where her complement consisted of helicopters rather than her usual mix of helicopters and Harrier aircraft. During operations in the war two Westland Sea King helicopters, from No. 849 NAS, collided in mid-air with the lost of 6 British and 1 American personnel. In September 2004 Ark Royal entered into extended readiness where she is envisaged to remain until 2006.

Ark Royal is expected to remain in service until 2015 at which time she will be replaced with the second of the Royal Navy future carriers. These new vessels are expected to displace three times that of the Invincible class and offer a step change in operational capability.

See HMS Ark Royal for other ships of the same name.

Invincible-class aircraft carrier

Invincible | Illustrious | Ark Royal

List of aircraft carriers of the Royal Navy