[tanknetter]

Two things interesting about that elevator.

First, they’re going from four elevators (standard since the USS Forrestal) to three. The article seems to suggest that it’s to increase available deck space, but more than likely it’s due to the need to reduce manning and maintenance requirements. Although it could be possible that the weapons trials/sinkex with the ex-USS America demonstrated that the risk(s) associated with the elevators wasn’t worth having a fourth one.

Second, the elevator is squared-off. Can’t tell if it’s a real square, rectangular or possibly even somewhat trapezoidal. Since the Kitty Hawk class US carrier elevators have had a distinct tab/ear on the ocean-end of them, which facilitated being able to lift two aircraft at a time while still limiting the hole in the side of the hull.

[Oztrich Boy]

Second, the elevator is squared-off. Can’t tell if it’s a real square, rectangular or possibly even somewhat trapezoidal. Since the Kitty Hawk class US carrier elevators have had a distinct tab/ear on the ocean-end of them, which facilitated being able to lift two aircraft at a time while still limiting the hole in the side of the hull.

This means they will no longer be able to operate the RA-5C Vigilante