A modern conversion plan could identify nationally controlled merchant ships or government-chartered transports such as the British Point class before a crisis begins. The state could then store prefabricated conversion equipment ashore rather than improvising every interface after war starts. A practical package would add close-in and point-defence weapons, a temporary hangar and flight deck, crewed helicopters, and compact uncrewed mine-warfare aircraft instead of trying to operate F-35s. Bay-class auxiliaries have already used temporary hangars, demonstrating that the basic support concept is attainable. The proposal is chiefly about prewar access, interfaces, and logistics: the right hulls and modules must be identifiable, reachable, and ready when expansion is needed.
Chapter · 46:42-50:05
A modern MAC ship built around modular helicopter support
A modern conversion would favor modular defenses, helicopters, and mine-countermeasure aircraft over attempting to fly F-35s from a merchant hull.