That would have meant more expense, more personnel needed, training requirements that are not really compatible with the concept of a joint RN/RAF Lightning Force, and are you really suggesting that the UK was going to purchase things like the E-2 Hawkeye? In addition to that, STOVL provides greater sorties rates for the same ship size and number of aircraft and people, and allows aircraft recovery in worse sea conditions.
Anyway, the CSG21 deployment has started in earnest:
Going back to the issue of ASW helicopters and 24 hour defence,
In the words of CO 820NAS:
“In terms of the number of people we need to operate those aircraft, we will have approximately 60 aircrew and about 130 engineers and other support staff. That will give us the ability to fly aircraft 24 hours a day with between two and three lines, constantly supporting and protecting the carrier and the strike group.”
Between two and three lines? Does that mean several aircraft up at the same time?