The Royal Navy is examining catapults and arresting gear chiefly to launch unmanned aircraft, without necessarily abandoning its short-takeoff carrier system. If future replacements for Albion and Bulwark are LHDs with ski ramps, Britain could have several decks able to operate F-35Bs while reserving catapult equipment for loyal-wingman or other unmanned systems. The idea is a mixed aviation architecture rather than a simple CATOBAR-versus-STOVL choice.
Notable Point · 3:03:20-3:05:02
Why the Royal Navy can mix F-35B ships with catapult-launched drones
A carrier-design discussion separates catapults for unmanned aircraft from the F-35B operating model used across carriers and future LHDs.