Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:04:02-2:04:58

Why converting Queen Elizabeth-class carriers to catapults is technically possible but unattractive

A CATOBAR conversion could be engineered with enough money, but it would demand major expenditure while proposed alternative aircraft such as Tempest were not yet proven suitable for naval use.

Carrier AviationCATOBARF-35 Lightning IINaval ProcurementQueen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers
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Question

Would lengthening the Queen Elizabeth-class carriers and converting them to CATOBAR operation be viable?

Short answer

It is technically possible, but the conversion and a suitable naval aircraft would be prohibitively expensive compared with continuing to operate the F-35.

Notes

Technical possibility does not make this a sensible procurement decision. Lengthening or converting the Queen Elizabeth class for catapults and arresting gear would require a "blank cheque". A naval Tempest was still theoretical, and adapting a land-based combat-aircraft design could demand extensive structural redesign, as earlier naval Eurofighter proposals illustrated. Retaining the existing F-35 arrangement avoids funding a speculative carrier and aircraft conversion together.