"Not sure why we're arguing about USMC conops as the UK will be developing our own, including an AEW capability (Crowsnest). Scenarios vary but remember that with the proliferation of modern SAMs it's best to have something that stands a chance against them. Will we ever need to go it alone without the US? Who knows, maybe not, but surely it's better to know that we can if we have to? Lkewise with the USMC: better to know you can go it alone without USN support than having to rely on it. Remember that Libya involved no USN CVN, just the USS Kearsage (LHD) and maybe a few F-35Bs could have been useful on Day 1."
WhiteOvies, at this point of time USMC are the only ones putting forward a 5th gen CONOP for the F-35B and although the UK has 2 carriers with about 40 aircraft each when they fit out both, they would have a similar load to 4 wasps in air/sea control, 20 aircraft each. I think the UK acting on its own would have more in common with the USMC task force.
LO, perhaps if you read the whole sentence "For a start MAGTF won't be going anywhere without AEGIS and other assests will be called in as needed for the mission."
Wouldn't N/AF AWACS come under 'other assets'?
Last edited by JSFfan; 29th Jul 2012 at 18:58.