The Invincible was the first of a new type of warship: the small aircraft carrier equipped to operate only V/STOL aircraft and helicopters. She has also been tested in war.
A FRESH START
Although the lost Royal Navy aircraft carrier was supposed to be withdrawn in 1972, the need for a large helicopter-carrier remained. Work began on such a design in the late 1960s. The advent of the Harrier Vertical/Short Take-Off and Landing) V/STOL) jump jet promised a wider role, but at ministerial level there was an absolute refusal to contemplate carriers, so the term through-deck cruiser was deliberately adopted. Not until 1975 could it be admitted that the ship(s) would operate the new Sea Harrier, and the Invincible was ordered before knowing the aircraft she was to operate.
Progress was rapid thereafter, with the Illustrious ordered in 1976 and the Ark Royal (originally to have been Indomitable) ordered at the end of 1978.
VINDICATED IN BATTLE
In 1981 as part of a defence review it was proposed to sell the newly completed HMS Invincible to the Royal Australian Navy, but the Argentine invasion of the Falklans in April 1982 brought the negotiations to an abrupt halt. She sailed with the task force on 5 April, and her nine Sea Harriers and ten Sea King helicopters played a major role in the British victory.
In 1986/89 she underwent a major modernisation, in which her ski-jump was extended to increase the exit- angle to 12 degrees, and the electronics were updated. In 1998 HMS Invincible was once again in the limelight, being sent to the Gulf to support the UN stand against Iraqs refusal to allow inspection of its weapons capability. She and her sisters now operate six RAF GR.7 Harriers, and will have the Sea Dart missile launcher and magazine removed to make room for the RAF Harriers weapons magazine.
TECHNICAL DATA
Type: Support carrier
Machinery: 2-shaft COGOG, 11 2,000shp
Dimensions: Length, 206.3m (677ft); beam, 35m (1 15ft) (max)
Dispbcement: 1 9,500t (full load)
Draught: 7.3rn (24ft)
