Perhaps we should concentrate on getting the carriers past main gate and into the build process? They are intended to be adaptable, so if we decide to go CTOL later we can. And isn't the F35 variant the UK selects dictated by the wants and needs of the RAF, not just the RN?
Back to MASC, perhaps this
news story from 857 NAS shows that there is something in having a platform that can operate from ships other than a carrier?
If we rule out the Osprey on cost and complexity grounds (and presumably
ERICA as well), and dismiss the Hawkeye as it might be able to launch but cannot land without arrestor wires then perhaps we might consider looking at a STOL aircraft with a service ceiling above 10 000 ft (a number of sources suggest the BN Defender can do twice this), folding wings, a strengthened undercarriage, room for the radar, processing equipment, communication equipment and other gear, two or three Observers, plenty of power generation, etc..........