BAE Systems has revealed the installation of Shared Infrastructure (SI) and Sandbox private clouds to the second Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales.

Deployment of these technologies allows the Royal Navy to trial and deploy new mission capabilities on a single, reliable digital platform.

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The installation was achieved as the aircraft carrier was preparing for its basic operational training and sea trials (BOST).

Last week, HMS Prince of Wales returned to sea to conduct its BOST.

The latest installations come as part of the efforts of the UK Missions Systems Enterprise, including the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the wider industry.

The technology has also been installed on sister ship HMS Queen Elizabeth. It will be extended to other ships involved in Carrier Strike Group (CSG), including the Type 23 frigates and Type 45 destroyers.

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BAE Naval Ships Combat Systems Director Amelia Gould said: “We are incredibly proud of the end-to-end role we play in the delivery of the UK’s sovereign complex warship capability and its critical enabling technologies.

“This is a great example of the skill and dedication demonstrated by each and every member of the UK Mission Systems Enterprise.

“Working hand-in-glove to overcome immense challenges to deliver state-of-the art capability to our nation’s defence through an unprecedented pandemic has made us stronger, more agile and better positioned to support the Royal Navy’s future evolution requirements.”

In December 2019, UK Royal Navy commissioned HMS Prince of Wales into the naval fleet during a ceremony at HM Naval Base Portsmouth.

HMS Prince of Wales is the second Royal Navy aircraft carrier to be commissioned. HMS Queen Elizabeth, the lead ship in the class, was commissioned in December 2017.

HMS Queen Elizabeth assumed the role of the ‘Fleet Flagship’ in January this year.

HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales are the largest ships ever constructed in the UK.

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