The expectation that the vessels will sail with around 20 F-35Bs is, according to an insider source we spoke to, because “It is not that they can’t do land based operations, just that there is a need to get the return on investment for the well found forward deployed bases that these aircraft carriers that form the centre of the CSG are” and that “the capacity of the F-35B force in the near years in particular is very limited and it is unwise to do other deployments”.
Yeah, right - the important and wise thing is to keep 2 squadrons of F-35 on one carrier, before moving them to the other carrier before another quick rinse & repeat. Meanwhile... back in reality....