Widger raised an interesting point in his post #102 about the choice of the STOVL F35B for JCA.
What is the rationale behind this choice? Is it:
1) Cost of Training
The cost/difficulty of training for conventional (as opposed to STOVL) carrier ops is disproportionately high given that the majority of JCA will be flown by the shore based RAF and as Widger says:
To those people who talk about using JCA more flexibly by having them ashore rather than on "the boat", you clearly do not have any clue about what it takes to get current "day and night" and "operational" on a carrier. You cannot just hop on for a few days, fly a few circuits and pop off again. It takes a long to get a whole squadron current and more importantly maintain that currency.
2)Benefits of Stealth
Neither Rafale nor navalised Typhoon are stealthy although F35C is.
3)Historical
JCA is the Harrier replacement and as Harrier is STOVL so JCA must be also. However the RAF is no longer operating out of Gutersloh with 3rd Shock Army menacingly close.
4)Aspirational
F35B is the latest American toy in the shop and we've just got to have it.
5)None of the Above