Defence procurement bungles and wins

[DJC]

Wouldn't the LHD's be capable of launching the F-35B, if we procure some?

Interestingly, it seems the F-35B is the only variant that seems to be delivering any sort of service reliability, but I suspect we'd be going down the Loyal Wingman drone route for air cover, these drowns aren't just for air combat but can be flown from any CAC platform, but of course they are some way off.

Flying in combat against a drone is bound to be a little unnerving, you usually expect an opponent to have some degree of self-preservation, but you can think of drones basically as the autonomous version of a Kamikaze pilot. Then the battle comes down to whoever has the biggest budget!

Yes, our LHDs are designed specifically for STOVL aircraft; helicopters don't use the ski-jump ramp over the bow.  However, the  F-35B isn't on our shopping lists and it would take a major change of direction to address that ... or a defence minister with some idea of force projection and the necessity of air superiority.