What are the problems with STOBAR carrier aviation?
Short answerThe aircraft needs the structure for an arrested landing but must launch under its own power from a short deck, restricting fuel and weapons loads.
NotesSTOBAR can put heavy air-defence fighters into the air, which helps explain the Soviet interest in it. Its aircraft must withstand an arrested landing while keeping their takeoff load light enough for a short deck and ski jump. Structural strength and ski-ramp clearance therefore compete with the fuel and weapons that make the aircraft useful. Range and weapon loads suffer, and carrying enough fuel for buddy tanking becomes especially difficult. STOVL has a different operational advantage: deck-parked Harriers carrying air-defence loads could launch their air group quickly in the Falklands and in plans to reinforce Norway. A large deck park lets the Queen Elizabeth class use the same rapid-launch principle.