True the capabilty will be usefull, but looking long term hopefully we will see F35 kicking from 2020 with the first batch likely to see an out of service date of around 2045-50, depending on when the last F35 enters service with the UK and the last F35B is built it may not be feasable to build more STOVL fast jets with the USAF and USN might be on to the next 6th gen fighter to replace Rhino and F22/35A in that time frame.shark bait wrote: I would like to hope money can be found to give us a proper ocean replacement in the mid 20's, which would actually be replacing the Albion's with a more modern and capable design. In the near term there is zero chance of seeing an ocean type vessel in the Royal Navy beyond 2018.
Something like the Canberra that is F35 capable would be of great utility. However having 2 cheaper F35 capable carriers would make me worry about the safety of the proper carriers.
If that is the case the UK may not have an option of converting the CV to cat& trap and if the UK do end up with 138 F35B's hopefully the last 24 will go bow out around 2055-60, this would give long term planning a platform for which keep the B's in an active role for the RN.
With the Albions with an out of service date of around 2040 project planning will need to begin by 2025 with an in service date of around 2035 that gives an out of service date for the LHD of around 2060-65. These LHD will give the UKDF a limited at sea capabilty whist the CV are converted with the 6th gen aircraft operating off the converted QE and perhaps there replacement ( fingers crossed and I doubt i'll be around to see it happen)
