Originally Posted by
Asturias56
yes - got greedy and told the truth about the costs - they should have said "of course we can do it.... " and waited until the only option was the F-35C to 'fess up
Perhaps the MRA4 cost overrun and cancellation in 2010 was still fresh in BAEs mind? Better to be paid for a completed pair of carriers, plus through life costs, than low-ball the CATOBAR cost and risk another cancellation when the overruns kick in.
The cost of the carriers remains controversial today, would they have survived in CATOBAR form with F35C?