A larger version of Queen Elizabeth is preferred within the hypothetical spending exercise because a Ford-style carrier would require too many crew. Possible changes include a longer hull, nuclear propulsion and CATOBAR operations. Those choices remain conditional on developing a suitable carrier aircraft, potentially through the aircraft partnership with Japan and Italy. The carrier variant could share avionics with a land-based version, but it would also need the protection and certification required for service at sea.
Notable Point · 3:32:29-3:33:54
An enlarged Queen Elizabeth carrier and a naval aircraft variant
The hypothetical carrier proposal depends on crew requirements and a suitable naval aircraft, with nuclear power and CATOBAR left as options.