It is complete nonsense to suggest that we need or will gain anything from a VSTOL a/c to work-up the flight deck of QE before F35B arrives. To scrounge a few Harriers from the USMC would simply allow us to waste (non-existent) money and time re-creating a wheel that our political masters no longer want, especially when it is not clear that when they eventually get it they will even want the new wheel ordered by the previous lot but one or two.
The initial work up of the roof of the Invincibles and Hermes with SHAR was at least as much hindered by the ARK/F4/Bucc mindset as it was helped. The space and support arrangements were different, the FW aircraft and its capabilities were different and the best ways of doing anything were, frequently, different. It all went on evolving for a long time too. The same will occur with QE but even more so because all the aircraft will be different.
If and when QE enters service, then will be time enough to do the integration trials, operational trials and work up that go with any aircraft type being operated from a ship for the first time. As ever these will need to be thought through and done carefully. We should have the advantage that those who remember how we used to do it will be either long gone, or too senior to get involved in the detail. The how to do it sheet will be clean and the 1SL of the day will be able to remind the Minister of the day that we have not done this for many years and don't want to kill people/ lose aircraft/ waste Defence money by rushing the re-learning.
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