Interesting thread- full of half truths and some real wisdom too.
with respect to U.S. GAO reports- In 30 years in the business I have never seen them get itr eally right, they are accountants and get that part right but don't understand the rest. Quoting SAR reports. Well. Have you ever written them? I have. ahemmm.
Unless you have a lot of time on your hands going through the announcements of contracts awarded (and modifications) and totaling up the dollars and what will be bought is not going to tell you the cost of anything. the people on the USG side barely know how much has been put on the contract and under what modification or contract line item it goes and they have all the information.
Navalizing the Typhoon- No modern land based front line combat aircraft has ever been successfully "navalized". The last aircraft to have that done was the T-45 from the Hawk, which is a good honest jet trainer aircraft, but is not a first team front line combat aircraft in 2006. This doesn't mean it is impossible but it does mean that it is difficult to retrofit all the considerations for carrier operation. the structural strength, LG and hook are the easy parts. Flying qualities and handling are a lot harder, as is T/W and momentum.
Also, the notion that normally land based STOVL aircraft can be operated successfully from ships is bravo sierra. Don't try it without lots of spare aircraft and pilots.
Raphiele, Typhoon , JSF- The situation you have here is comparing aircraft at different stages in their life cycle and technological maturity. JSF being the least far along is less well developed and has much more uncertainty. Raphialle (or however they spell it in frog) is the most mature so you pretty much see what you get.
To be a world power that is listened to the UK should have a power projection capability including an air component from the sea. Go for it with the CV and you will not regret it.
Rant Over