Just thinking about the capacity and capability increase in range and awareness the V-22 Osprey can vastly increase both
A refueling version of the V-22 and mini AWACS version of the V-22 would solve both issues
This is something the Royal Navy should seriously consider. No point having a carrier and relying on the French for carrier AWACS
Tanker and AEW capable V-22s just make great sense all around.
The US Navy could use them on all of the Wasp LHDs and the new America LHAs. That would be 11 large flat top vessels right there.
The English could use them for both of the QE class.
The Italians on the Cavour and the Garibaldi.
The Spanish on the Juan Carlos.
The Australians on both Canberras.
The Japanese on both Hyugas and both Izumos.
The Koreans on both Dokdos.
Even the French on their three Mistrals.
That's 27 vessles right there, with a minimum squadron of three of each aircraft on each vessel. A minimum build of 81 aircraft of each type, and I am betting they would end up with over 100 of each aircraft. So it could be cost effective for them for these types of aircraft too.
And it would significantly increase the capabilities of all of those vessels, both from a defense standpoint in terms of the MUCH better AEW coverage, and in terms of maximizing the effectiveness of their own aircraft flying off of those decks.
Anyway, I think the Royal Navy needs two carriers so that one of them could be in places like the picture shows and the other close to the British Isles (I mean not just one, or none at all).
