Can we get the carriers built for the currently quoted prices? Well, let's say it's a severe challenge. That said, if we want to do it (and this lot say they do) the money will come. By the way, with EF at around 15bn pounds so far, the carriers don't look so bad.
The best way to get the carriers is to aim at what we can achieve. They WILL get cut back in size (all our carriers have) and a 35,000 tonner would make a good STOVL ship but a rotten CTOL design.
John Farley, thank you for your comments, glad to talk on email if you wish. Thoroughly agree that STOBAR looks good if you don't worry about control and also if you don't want to carry very much. Most estimates I have heard of EF STOBAR performance seem to assume a 'flying display' configuration. Add a few bombs and those T/W ratios drop away quickly.
Come on then: bets on STOVL JSF first flights? Boeing next March, LM around Sept 01 I reckon.
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