JF,
I ask you, as the nearest thing Prune has to an air power 'thinker' the following questions?
1) Does operating site flexibility necessarily mean CV (F)? Do we need FCBA and/or a carrier? Can we afford to support squadron-sized deployments with a CV, SSN, oilers, guardships, radar pickets, and 2,000 + seamen, or should we just send a Harrier/Tornado/Jag squadron with 180 blokes?
2) What happens to UK FCBA if the USMC are persuaded to drop their STOVL JSF?
3) Do you still think STOVL (as opposed to rough field+STOL is STILL relevant for land-based air power? Should FOAS be STOVL, perhaps? Should JSF be FCBA AND FOAS?
JN