Orca: Arrestor cables and catapults.
I've read that these new carriers are certainly capable of being converted for CTOL aircraft, but will they be?
I understand UAV's are a possible reason for conversion, however I mean for manned fast jets.
Courtney, I'm not suggesting that the RN should replace the current F-35B's for this technology to the C variant, that would be a complete waste of time and money. However, and I speak purely for fast jets, what other aircraft could the Navy use if they implemented this technology in to the new carriers? F/A-18E/F? EA-18G?
It would be nice to think so, although I suspect by the time arrestor cables and catapults are fully operational on the ships (assuming they are even converted to operate CTOL aircraft), the production of those two aircraft would have ceased long ago.
I believe the new generation of U.S Navy carriers will have electromagnetic catapults. So would they be an option for the RN?