An earlier British concept paired the two Queen Elizabeth-class carriers with three landing helicopter docks able to operate F-35Bs. Five compatible flight decks would have spread aviation across carrier and amphibious duties while preserving more options when a ship was unavailable. The government changed course, leaving two large carriers without that three-ship supplement. America-class amphibious assault ships can also fly F-35Bs, but remain busy with their primary amphibious missions. Using those ships as spare carriers can strain amphibious readiness, so shared aircraft compatibility does not make every flight deck interchangeable in practice.
Notable Point · 5:18:15-5:19:16
A five-flight-deck British carrier concept
Three F-35B-capable landing helicopter docks could have supplemented Britain's two large carriers, while American amphibious ships show the readiness cost of treating assault ships as spare carriers.