PORTSMOUTH, England, Sept. 25 (UPI) -- The HMS Ark Royal aircraft carrier returned to sea Friday following a $19.2 million seven-month "green" overhaul, the British Ministry of Defense said.
The Ark Royal received a new paint job for its hull using an "intersleek" solution that cuts fuel use and emissions by as much as 9 percent. The paint also allows the Ark Royal to increase its top speed by 2 knots to 30 knots, or roughly 35 miles per hour.
BVT Surface Fleet carried out additional upgrades to exhaust systems, gearboxes, main engines and diesel generators.
"The ship's company is excited and proud to be taking Ark Royal back to sea to commence our preparations to become the Royal Navy's Strike Carrier and the U.K.'s Fleet Flagship," said commanding officer Capt. John Clink.
Ark Royal left its home port of Portsmouth on Friday for two weeks of post-maintenance tests off the southern coast of England. She will take over from sister ship HMS Illustrious, laying in harbor in Oslo, Norway, in 2010.
