JunglyAEO
I always thought it was the RN who wanted STOVL to keep the size of the ship down and thus the cost - making the whole issue 'look' more affordable. Haven't heard anyone sensible in light blue extolling the virtues of STOVL for at least 7 years.
And I completely agree about a C4ISTAR capability which to be useful has to be able to get (at least its sensor) to the point of action. On current plans this points more to a long range, long endurance shore based asset rather than a short range, short endurance, ship based one
