It had a small frontal cross section and narrow wings. I remember reading somewhere that it was possibly the first aircraft capable of supercruise in level flight but I don’t know if that applied to all versions

Could the elevator thing be to accomodate the Hawkeye ? I presume that it has a bigger footprint and hence needs a larger elevator………..

“It consists of two gas turbines, four electric propulsion engines, four diesel alternators and two propellers”

I know little about ship propulsion systems so is having only two propellers in any way controversial ? Seems to my dull mind that if one was unavailable, that steaming at a sensible speed for French flying operations might be difficult, or do I misunderstand how this works ? :confused:

What do other conventional carriers have ?

I would imagine that the pilot would have lots to concentrate on if this happens. Predicting the stall speed and hence minimum approach speed would be tricky, particularly if you were approaching a carrier 😮

Yesterdays telegraph on this specific issue. I have included it here as it briefly includes reference to Naval stuff and the carriers.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/01/22/ndefence22.xml

Tango, thanks for the update 😎

Not using their military is hardly something that the Aussies can be accused of. They seem to rapidly becoming one of the worlds few Policemen, like the US, France, Holland, UK, Canada………………….etc. Agreed though there are a good few countries that are somewhat over-equiped for the roll that they play.

Don’t read todays daily Telegraph 😡 😡 😡 😡 😡 🙁 🙁 🙁 🙁 🙁 🙁 😮 😮 😮 😮