Originally Posted by
dat581
I wonder why the US Navy and USMC have studiously avoided any form of ramp for their amphibious carriers. I've read several reasons such as a ramp affects the ships handing or the loss of deck space is unacceptable etc. Surely some bright spark could come up with a portable ramp that can be dropped/moved once the Harriers/F-35s have launched?
Because the 30+ m of ramp doesn't just lose number 1 spot, it hems in the aircraft deck park forward, see phot for details. On a ship with 33m beam at the flightdeck, losing half that forward for a ramp means chaos for the handlers.
A moveable ramp that'll support a 25te cab with an entry speed of 80kts or so and remain reliable and bug-free when subjected to salt-water, being goffered, and little or no maintenance will not be cheap or simple.