Unlikely STOVL carrier for RAN

Some dream about the Hobart-class and F-35B STOVL ops.

Here are just a few of the problems; my comments from the original link:

Look at the specific fuel consumption of the engine. And consider also hot/high flight ops which reduce performance. Very important when looking at any STOVL flight ops-- and because fuel is used as a heat-sink in this aircraft. All F-35s have unresolved thermal issues. You cant put a drain-hole or air vent just any where on a stealth aircraft. Pretend stealth aircraft or otherwise. So it is doubtful the B will have the original range requriement. As the U.S. Navy found out, setting up their new Amphibs to fly the F-35B isn't trivial. Other questions for the RANs new ships: Spot-factor (the phyical deck space taken up by the F-35 over the Harrier. Spot factor, Harrier .82 , F-35B 1.14. How many can do flight ops on the ship safely? Fuel. Each F-35B has 5.9 tons of internal fuel (used to be more but because of weight issues they reduced it some). The amount of logistics to support this aircraft vs the Harrier is more. Which leads to the question of useful ops tempo on a cruise and/or between at-sea replenishment. Has anyone tested how to change the $27M jet engine and lift-fan system on the F-35B aboard ship as part of common aircraft maintenace at sea? The U.S. has not done this yet. What are those issues with the Canberra-class? The final issue is like the A, the B should be fly-before-you-buy. Observe how the B operates in USMC squadrons for a few years before making an informed buying decision. And, what kind of mission are you trying to do? A Tomahawk Block 4 fired from a ship, sub or an interesting job for DSTO kicked out the back of a C-17 goes over 900 miles. More of those will get through an integrated air defense than the F-35.

In the end, the ski-up is wasted deck space. Symbolic of the waste in the entrenched defence bureaucracy.

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