Ramblings of simple man
Having read the thread, as much as is understandable, there seems to be a great desire to spend a great deal of cash on a low observable aircraft as distinct from an well tried and tested F18.
Also, no thought seems to have been applied to the Airbourne Early Warning aircraft that is needed to support a carrier force, historically the Gannet AEW or will the helicopters do the necessary!! I am a bit out of touch in that area.
Without the Cat and Trap where will that be comming from. A United States Carrier? Even the French!! Not what we need.
So we appear to have a very expensive boat, NOT Low Observeable, with minimal defence and a few costly non-existant stealth aircraft.
Maybe we can lease one of the American carriers. I heard that they have too many.
Appologies for my ramblings, but we seem to have driven headlong into a snowdrift in the middle of winter with no sign of a thaw.