Engineering company Rolls-Royce yesterday made its first delivery on a £96m contract to supply equipment for the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers.

The first pair of Neptune stabilising fins, which were designed, manufactured and tested at Rolls-Royce’s facility at Dunfermline in Fife, were transported to the BVT Surface Fleet shipyard in Govan on the Clyde.

They will be incorporated into the under-construction hull section at the Clyde yard, part of the BAE Systems empire.

The stabilising fins are retractable and can be

extended from their housing in the ship’s hull to stabilise the vessel when sailing through rough seas.

Once deployed, stabilisers pivot to counteract the roll of the sea and lift the vessel. This is a similar engineering concept to that used in aircraft wings.

Rolls-Royce noted that stabilisers performed an essential role in steadying a ship during various operations such as the use of weaponry, refuelling or during the take off and landing of aircraft.

Richard Dingley director of European and international programmes at Rolls-Royce, said: “This delivery is a key milestone in the QE Class programme and marks not only the first delivery of Rolls-Royce equipment, but also the first part of the power and propulsion element.

“We are extremely proud to be involved in the development of these vessels, working alongside our many partners in the Aircraft Carrier Alliance to supply mission-critical technology and systems.”

Aircraft Carrier Alliance programme director Geoff Searle added: “The delivery of the stabilisers to Govan is a great achievement to add to the list of successes and milestones already reached on the QE Class programme. Right across the country, British industry is showing its commitment to this programme by working together to deliver these fantastic ships for the UK Armed Forces.”

Rolls-Royce said it would also supply MT30 gas turbines, the most powerful available in the marine market today, as part of an integrated system which includes the giant carriers’ propellers and propeller shafts as well as rudders, bearings and low-voltage electrical systems.

The company noted that it was part of a “sub-alliance” team that has overall responsibility for delivery of the entire power and propulsion system.

The contract has been awarded by the carrier main alliance partner, Thales UK.

Rolls-Royce supplies 70 Navies with products ranging from gas turbines and diesel engines, to propulsion, motion control and electrical systems. It has marine service facilities in 34 countries.