Not wishing to appear too cynical, but I reckon the V/STOL "Dave" is very much an RAF driven decision. The CVFs would be much more effective (esp in terms of range and bring-back) if we used CV "Daves". However, that would require conventional deck landing skills and is de facto a Naval core skill (ie the FAA would have to expand to permit the acquisition & retention of suitably trained aviators), whereas the RAF have proved that Sqn dudes can land a GR7/9 on a deck and are therefore keen for the status quo to be maintained. The other side of the coin is that if we made a decision to go "conventional" with CVF then E-2 for MASC is a must, whereas Dave is not a shoo-in for the airgroup (F-18s/Rafale?) and that would really make BAES grumpy!!