Invincibleclass

The Invincible class was a class of light aircraft carriers built for the Royal Navy. Two ships of the class, HMS Invincible and HMS Illustrious, were commissioned in 1980 and 1982 respectively. A third ship, HMS Ark Royal, was commissioned in 1985. These carriers were designed to operate the Sea Harrier vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft and a range of helicopters.

Key features of the Invincible class included their relatively small size, ski-jump bow for assisting STOVL aircraft take-off, and a full-width flight deck. They were powered by gas turbine engines and armed with Sea Dart missiles for self-defense. The design prioritized speed and agility over a large air group.

The Invincible class played significant roles in various conflicts, most notably the Falklands War, where HMS Invincible and HMS Hermes (an older carrier) formed the core of the naval task force. They also saw service in the Persian Gulf. The class represented a departure from traditional large aircraft carriers, emphasizing a more flexible and multi-role capability.

Over time, the operational requirements and technological advancements led to the decommissioning of the Invincible class. HMS Invincible was decommissioned in 2005, followed by HMS Illustrious in 2014, and HMS Ark Royal in 2010. Their retirement marked the end of an era for the Royal Navy's light aircraft carriers, with their roles eventually being superseded by larger carriers like HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.