There are excellent points being put forward for the B as opposed to the conventional C, but what about servicing? With a carrier just over the horizon would the lack of numbers be less significant if those that were aboard the ship were available? Servicing is always a major issue and if one type needs less than the other, then should that also be taken into consideration when making this decision?
When putting forward this case, has the value of having AEW been discussed? Are the benefits of the Hawkeye significant enough to influence the decision or is it being ignored? Is that specific option as important, or even more important than what type of FJ we go for?
Do we need to look at the whole as opposed to separate parts? If we go for the B then is there a long term AEW aircraft capable of operating from a grey funnel liner?
Again these are questions and NOT statements