i'm somewhat struggling to imagine what a COD aircraft can bring to a carrier that a Chinook and a 40,000 ton RFA thats 2 miles away can't?
F-35B engine?
Chinook gearbox?
two dozen 500lb Paveways?
Indeed, why can't the QE and PoW carry those things itself? They're big old ships, and with only a dozen or so F-35Bs set to be embarked at any time there must be plenty of space for spares and the like.
with a top range of 1000 miles or so, a CMV-22B isn't exactly blue water navy capability either
The CMV-22B had additional fuel for an extended range capability of 1, 150 n miles, but your point is a good one.