a Harrier launches from Illustrious in 1998. Photos via Wikipedia
a Harrier launches from Illustrious in 1998. Photos via Wikipedia
Gotta keep the welfare flowing to the muzzie gimsmedats.
One can only shake one’s head.
One has to wonder if the F-35C would be capable of STOBAR operation.
Then again, for whatever reason (limited production numbers is my guess) the F-35C is the most expensive version of the Lightning II.
The trajectory for all this started in 2006 when the Sea Harriers were retired. That left the RN beholden to the RAF’s Harrier GR.7/9 force. Which was a redheaded stepchild compared to Tornado and Typhoon.
The RN should have tried to cut a deal to keep the SHARs, which unlike the RAF Harriers were nominally multimission, and retire the GRs. Then deploy with a borrowed US Marine AV-8B squadron if more strike power was needed (which is now slated to happen for the QEs).
The RN surrendered it’s position when it gave up it’s own dedicated fixed wing component. Which means they didn’t learn a damn thing from their pre-WWII experience in being beholden to the RAF.
Until carriers ACTUALLY become outmoded, only an idiot has them and reduces them below two.