Oberon,
F-35B on QEC will use a ramp instead of the USMC 'flat top' as shown in the USS Wasp videos. This will give more aircraft performance margin to UK F-35B launches for a given weight (i.e. higher payload compared to a flat deck launch for a given deck run, or, same load can be launched at higher ambient temp/low air pressure than flat deck run). In direct comparison to a flat deck launch the ramp's profile will help mitigate the condition where an F-35B leaves the deck as the ship approaches the bottom of a pitch down while also starting to heave upwards - i.e. you get less of a face full of sea, relatively speaking.
As John Farley has explained previously, ramps do cause issues with nose oleo compression/bottom-out at high AUW and/or ramp exit speeds so there is a trade off to be considered.
IMHO I'm glad UK went for a ramp option for QEC as I believe it provides the safest margin through-life as engine wear takes its toll on performance.
Last edited by MSOCS; 20th Sep 2013 at 11:27.