WEBF...give it up. We've lost it, now lets move forward.
Let's put this Ocean theory to bed as well. getting Ocean to do a CVF role is akin to fitting AMRAAM to the Jaguar to make it conduct Air Defence, yes you could do it, but frankly it would be ridiculous.
If you compare Ocean to CVS (not CVF) there are some key differences.
OCEAN
Ocean cannot achieve the speeds required to get heavily laden FJ off the deck, particularly in light winds/heavy seas.
Ocean is designed to transport troops and their equipment to theatre and get them ashore by landing craft/helicopter.
CVS
CVS is designed to transport aircraft where they are needed and operate them. To conduct this task the CVS has better accomodation, briefing facilities, better recovery aids, better engineering facilities, better hangerage, the ability to produce lots of demin water, the ability to produce GOX, the ability to supply lots of bombs, missiles and bullets, the ability to supply and repair SE, the ability to process intelligence material, the ability to support mission planning systems, the ability to provide briefing facilities, the ability to provide fighter control (ship borne or airbornes) and much much more.
CVF
In comparison with CVF, there is no argument.
The ability to put combat aircraft, or support helicopters, into the air over international waters or inland during operations without support from a host natio
A potential 50 year service life
The carrier will support 42 Joint Combat Aircraft carrying out up to 420 sorties over five days and be able to conduct day and night time operations. The maximum sortie rate is 110 Joint Combat Aircraft sorties per 24-hour period
The MASC airborne early warning aircraft is an airborne early warning aircraft to succeed the Sea King AEW helicopter. AEW variants of the EH101 helicopter and the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey are being considered for the MASC requirement (V22 or even Hawkeye will solve the distance issue)
The hangar deck, 155m x 33.5m x 6.7m to 10m high, accommodates up to 20 fixed and rotary wing aircraft. (which will also accomodate Chinook without removing the blades. CVS and OCEAN's lifts are too small)
Plus all the other benefits that presently come with CVS and more.
The RN have always been aware that a lot of their role is in support of the Army in particular and have always been the most "purple" of the three services. A good example is why all frigates and destroyers still have a 4.5 inch gun...to support troops on the ground. Most of the RN's large ships are there to support and transport the Army and Marines. You could argue that CVF and JCA has the same role as well...and so it should be. Air Power has never won a war..only battles..only troops on the gound can win wars. The strike capability that will be brought by both GR7A/9 in the near future and JCA next decade, will give the UK the ability to project power( often in support of troops on the ground) like never before. The advantage of JCA is that it will also restore the ability to defend those platforms from hostile Air attack.
Without CVF we had all better go and get other jobs. Not just those in the RN but Army and RAF too. Without CVF and i'ts escorts we will not have the ability to transport troops anywhere in the world in LARGE ENOUGH NUMBERS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. No Army means no need for those Tankers, Transports, etc.
So we will revert to our Island and defend it against the enemy. See you boys in light blue have a future after all!
