I take your point and agree with it, but you just made this forum wince So what are you calling the 2 UK flat tops? By your definition they aren't aircraft carriers.
No, they are not, by the conventional definition, and neither were the carriers the Soviets used to deploy with using the Forgers.
The Royal Navy used to have cat and trap carriers. The Royal Navy chose not to maintain that capability. The Italians had, or have, Harrier capable carriers. VSTOL carriers certainly have a place in power projection (see Falklands 1982) but also have significant shortcomings as compared to cat and trap carriers. You get a fast jet capability, but it is modest.
The French Navy still has cat and trap carriers. (Or are they back ton 1). It is certainly an expensive capability to maintain.
LO, As you have been show and I take it you are having a memory lapse. The Wasp have a normal 6-10 Harrier load and CONOPS for sea control with about a load of 25 Harrier aircraft
When's the last time any LHA or LHD deployed with 20-25 Harriers on board?
