HL Deb 07 June 2004 vol 662 c9WA
Lord Luke

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the planned two new aircraft carriers will be designed to use the conventionally launched variant of the joint strike fighter if the manufacture of the short take-off and landing variant does not proceed. [HL3038]

Lord Bach

As announced on 30 September 2002, the two new aircraft carriers will be configured to operate the short take-off vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the joint strike tighter. The vessels will, however, be constructed to an innovative and adaptable design which will allow us, if required in the future, to modify the vessels from their STOVL configuration to facilitate conventional flight operations, such as for aircraft requiring catapult launch and arrested recovery.