6 Harriers is the minimum a CVS would deploy with, they can carry up to 22 at a time though 14 was found to be the optimum number alongside 3 SK ASaC and 4-6 Merlin. The term scrap seems to come in this instance from the press, not the MOD. In press terms, scrap is a synonym for decommissioned or withdrawn from service. The last statement I heard from Navy sources was that Ark's fate post decommissioning had not been decided and more than likely she would be either heald in reserve and/or used as a spares resovoir for Illustrious. She certainly won't be heading for any scrapyard for several years yet.