Evalu8or the Chinook is not a one size fits all helo actually in my opinion the RAF bought the wrong helecopter in the Chinook and should have bought the CH53 but anyway we're now stuck with them.
Yes an atlantic conveyor solution is an option but look at what happened to her bad luck yes.
The chances of CVF comming to fruition in its full promised spec are zero if it comes about at all and Ocean replacement is a long way away probably after chinook and merlin have been retired so Chinook is still limited. And I would guess that either illistrious or Ark will soldier on for a good few years as the spare LPH.
Yes a merlin can lift half a viking so 2 merlins can lift 1 viking as split loads not ideal but a comprimise or you put the vikings ashore across the beach another comprimise the stuff staff officers of 3 commando brigade get payed lots of money to work out.
Given the UK history of specialised chinook variants I would say the team involved in Navalising the chinook will be extremely cautious and I would also say that given the current round of proposed cutting and financial controls the more cost effective proposal with proven technology and capability will go forward.
Yes a properly navalised chinook based aboard ships capable of supporting it would be the gold plated option but thats not going to happen. My reading is SK and Puma will soldier on till they fall apart hopefully someone will be generous and give some money to replace a proportion of the SK fleet with a naval assualt helecopter and we'll have to muddle through with chinooks as deck cargo just like we always have and on land an updated puma and the HC3 Merlin will ease the burden on Chinook.