[lentulusgracchus]

You do nit think they are showing off the Rafael's capabilities to potential customers?

Well, showing off the navalized Rafale is a fair exercise (they're trying to sell them to the Indians and other customers).... but I wonder why they only brought 20 a/c, since the Chuck is capable of carrying almost twice that many.

The photo shows a Hawkeye on the flight deck, which is interesting. That shows they can operate the ungainlier, larger types as well. Which is not unexpected, since the Chucky Cheese-Eater is about the size of a Midway-class CV.

And btw a U.S. carrier of that class once completed an exercise demonstrating an ability to land and fly off C-130's (thread here on FR), in the early 60's.

[robertwalker62]

Was a Forrestal class CV IIRC - the first supercarrier, and larger than either the de Gaulle or the Midway.

[OldGoatCPO]

I miss the Midway first carrier I ever saw, great lady awesome history. French purchased Hawkeye variant a while back. Trying to unload Rafael on Brazil as well. Not a bad airplane comes with an optional white flag, or so I hear.