...possibly.
https://www.skiesmag.com/news/dassau...ement-project/
BV
One other thing. For BEagles’ benefit. Aside from the fact that, as already mentioned, every jet I can think of has a tail hook nowadays. Any jet landing in your ‘middle of nowhere’ might be lucky to find a runway with a cable in the first place. And there aren’t many asphalt runways in the middle of nowhere anyway.
I understand your point about drogue refuelling but I still don’t think anyone would buy the F35C if they did not plan to put it on a carrier. The A model, even unrefuelled, has pretty good range. Add external fuel tanks (fine for a Q scramble) and it’ll be even better.
The NORAD tasking could easily justify the use of a USAF tanker and anywhere else they can rely on the US anyway. Or maybe buy some new tankers.
Again, this is only semi uninformed ramblings not scientific fact so please take it at face value.