A catapult could let HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales launch a wider range of uncrewed aircraft. Installing it would require expensive, intrusive work that is difficult to reverse and would remove each flight deck from service for months. Testing before committing helps the Royal Navy avoid turning an uncertain upgrade into another one-way procurement decision. Nations with only a few carriers must weigh the future capability against the immediate strategic loss, because an unavailable carrier removes options for independent action.
Chapter · 1:17:55-1:19:33
The strategic cost of modifying a scarce carrier
Adding a drone catapult could broaden the Queen Elizabeth class air group, but months of unavailable flight deck time would reduce national freedom of action.