Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:09:52-1:10:18

Why the Royal Navy moved from CATOBAR to STOVL

The shift toward STOVL is tied to Cold War emphasis on NATO's Central Front, with Norman Friedman's British Carrier Aviation suggested as the closest book treatment.

Aircraft CarriersCold WarNaval AviationRoyal Navy
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Question

Is there a study explaining why the Royal Navy moved from CATOBAR to STOVL in the 1970s and 1980s?

Short answer

Not a single definitive one; Norman Friedman's British Carrier Aviation is the best starting point, and the Central Front's priority helps explain the change.

Notes

No single study cleanly explains the transition. Norman Friedman's British Carrier Aviation is recommended first, with Nick Childs's The Age of Invincible added later as another useful route into the decision. The strategic focus on NATO's Central Front and continental Europe forms an important part of the institutional setting. The answer therefore treats the move as a product of strategic priorities and force planning, rather than a simple comparison of launch systems.