Spaz, my point was: - How important to the USMC is VSTOL?
The LHDs are as big as say FS Foche, so if designed/ re fitted appropriately they could have a catapult, EMALs as there is little steam generation capacity, with the new arresting gear.
Thus 6 F35Cs or in the meantime USMC Hornets could be embarked.
I personally think that operating an F35B from an austere base is far more of an ask than operating a Harrier from a road in Germany say. The support requirements for a stealth jet are far greater than for Harriers.
We can all recall that the USMC stated recently that only 10% of F35 flights would be VSTOL.
I reiterate if the STOVL requirement had not been there and I am in a way questioning its validity, very late etc etc, would the different JSF by now be delivering the performance and cost base it initially promised?