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pzu
26th Jul 2003, 14:00
Probably missed it elsewhere, but how will the proposed new UK carriers launch their aircraft?

Rely on STOL/VTOL and Ski-jump, or catapult?

If catapult, how will this be powered?

Steam or some newer form of propulsion - MAGLEV or similar?

regor
27th Jul 2003, 10:39
Initially, the carriers will be configured just for STOVL with a ramp for the new JSF aircraft.

However, the design includes the ability to upgrade the carrier for conventional aircraft launch using a catapult.

This is a requirement of the contract, since the carriers have a designed life expectancy of 50 years, i.e. longer than the service life of the new JSF aircraft.

The following link tells you a bit more about them:

http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/cvf/index.html#cvf10

R.