NaB,
Thanks, and I really agree that there is a bit of a kerfuffle going on now and there's a long way to go with a very talented team working the issues.
Just one thing - the CVF was always big enough for cat and trap - that was a KUR from the start. The UK bringback issue was, in my view, solvable with RVL, especially given the size of the flight deck and length of runway available. At the time I worked the programme, the RVL could be changed into a 'bolter' - indeed, that drove the deck layouts being looked at. The UK (and US) TPs were firm that RVLs were not feasible without it.
Best Regards
Engines