Originally Posted by
glad rag
"the F-35B will contribute to the C4ISTAR capabilities of a task group in a way no other aircraft (or ship) can."
When ?
When it deploys operationally with a carrier based task group!
Originally Posted by KenV
Learning how to effectively and safely operate a carrier has a magnificently large and steep learning curve.
Including the basics - such as having live jets on deck moving under their own power, producing jet blast, being subject to the movement of the deck (Newton's Laws of Motion win)..... Back in 2009, I was in a room when the Fleet Air Arm Command Warrant Officer told us that the plan for the future and building skills for the future was to embark Harriers aboard
Illustrious and
Ark Royal as often as possible, with more aircraft embarked for longer periods. Cutbacks and politics seem to have ignored this need.
Why make things easy for ourselves?
By the way - is HMS
Queen Elizabeth still due to put to sea again in June? I understand she is not only having work done on the flight deck, but also she is having cosmetic work done, having the scullery upgraded, being fitted with Phalanx and DS30M Mk 2 weapons, and having equipment fitted to support the recovery of fixed wing aircraft such as the Instrument Carrier Landing System.