§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what allowance he has made for using existing aircraft on the new aircraft carriers. [13007]
§ Dr. MoonieThe Future Aircraft Carrier (CVF) will be configured to operate the Future Joint Combat Aircraft (FJCA) as its primary aircraft. In addition to FJCA, the current CVF requirement document sets out a number of aircraft which should be considered for operation in a secondary role. This includes existing fixed and rotary wing aircraft which are compatible with carrier operations. Use of existing aircraft will depend. among other things, on their operational capability when CVF enters service—currently planned for 2012.