Feneris. The variant of F-35 has not been decided upon. The only people who want the STOVL variant are the politicians on behalf of industry. The carrier design has not been finalised, the French will have a big sway on that decision.
The carrier design is not dependant on the choice of F-35 and even the STOVL carrier variant, should that be the way we go, may not need a ramp. There is no direct link to a delay in the new carrier and the F-35 variant choice.
WE Branch Fanatic. There is more operational experience in the RN now than at any other time since the Falklands. Thanks yet again for your being pot half full and not having current knowledge of what our officers and ratings are achieving. And another link to that well flogged dead horse the Sea Jet thread.
The experience of the current fixed wing FAA pilots who will fill the key positions is at a peak and will remain that way with the development of the Mar Strike role. The demise of Sea Harrier is not going to effect the ability of the UK to operate CVF efficiently unless you are talking about transporting us back in time to the Cold War era with the great blue water battle.
Imagegear. Relax with the kevlar for the moment. I don't understand your point. Are you saying that STOVL is not as capable as the CV variant? Nothing radical about that statement, everyone agrees.