On board the aircraft carriers there are typically 70-80 planes for defence, attack, refuelling in flight, jamming enemy communications and radars, and for airborne surveillance and control.
Although it was due to fly the friendly skies of Lakehurst, New Jersey in mid-June, Northrop Grumman's usually unmanned surveillance was only just caught floating over the Jersey Shore as part of a maiden flight on August 8th.
The Clyde is described by the MoD as a "highly capable and versatile vessel" with state-of-the-art air and surface surveillance radars, a 30mm gun mounting and the capability to operate a variety of helicopters from her flight deck.