That is incorrect. The CVFs were designed from the start to be upgradeable to CATOBAR should the need arise.

 

If the CVFs were designed from the start to be upgradeable to CATOBAR then should the redesign cost an additional 1 billion pounds? A billion pounds, which is a lot of redesign in my opininion. That rise to 5 billion is a 25% price increase. Or let's say enough money to buy 1/4th of the original proposed carrier.

Stuff like this has a way of making me suspect someone has lying or deliberately misrepresenting facts to the general public. Or not doing his work making the original specs.

 

 

 

 

 

To me it always came down to operating a first class AEW system. The was no way anyone was designing a new fixed wing AEW aircraft and I can't immagine a helicopter system comparable to a Hawkeye. I wonder though if a .11 hp/lb B-25 can fly off an 825 ft Hornet could a .19 hp/lb E2C could operate off a ramped 920 ft CVF. If so then you would only need arresting gear.

The usable thrust from the propellers is the key more than the kilowatts. With their new scimitar shaped props the E2Ds should be able to ramp off.

Herald

Written in this sentence.We can estimate catapult, arrested gear and systems including specific steam plant to be 200 m£ for a carrier (french price).With R&D we can estimate it cost 60% of the 1 billion £ more.

Rest (10% of program) is normal inflation vs a former price, or program overspending.

Ahem. You don't have catapult or arrestor gear technology. WE do.

 

WE will be supplying those bits, not you. 

Just so you all know, the reason for the price increase in the carriers is because of the decision to slow down the build rate of the carriers, had the original timeframe been kept, it is likely the final price would be close to the 3.9 billion quoted.

 

Oh, and from what i've read on other forums, F-35B is still the plan, F35C is only the backup option.

It's likely that the discussions may be sabre rattling to try and keep the F136 engine alive and kicking - whether it'll work or not is another thing. I'd sooner see the C variant selected and flown however,

 

Ian

 

 

Major development on British F-35 procurement < link >

 

F-35B cost is out of control and UK MoD has cut down F-35B procurement from 138 to 50. Only Queen Elizabeth would be fielded with F-35B, while the Prince Wales will only carry helicopters.

 

British were looking to spend 90 million pounds on each F-35B at a buy of 138, but this will now rise to well more than 100 million pounds.

I have never said we are supplying those piece.We buy them as well to USA but it has to be integrated in programme price whatever french or british.And the supplementary R&D is to design steam plant, adapt the ship and integrate catapults and arrested gear supplied by USA indeed.