Isn't a better question why buy the STOVL version JSF? When with brand new, large tonnage carriers on the way - if the JSF is a must have - it would be far cheaper to just buy the capatapult capable version. (or a Rafael, or marianate the Typhoon)
It's all curiously reminiscent of the Spey F4 debacle, where someone was able to generate an argument to justify re-engining the F4, on the grounds that the carriers Ark Royal and Eagle were a bit short of deck length for safe go around performance with the standard GE engines. No matter that plain vanilla USN F4 had flown on/off the Ark.
The answer to the JSF/STOVL question, is the same as the answer to the Spey engined Phantom one - to generate jobs in the UK - and to heck with whats best for the Navy and Air Force.
In the end, of course the Spey F4 were slower than the standard fit. None of the promised Spey engined Phantom exports were sold and they cost more than twice as much per copy, which by the time the entire fleet of RN and RAF F4s were re-engined would have paid for -just the extra cost over the standard model that is- two brand new carriers - and as an added bonus probably have prevented the Falklands War.
Last edited by Jetex Jim; 30th Mar 2008 at 17:58.