:rolleyes:
It makes sense. India & Italy (assisting with ADS design) working together could market an ADS-based CTOL carrier pretty well, I think. Big questions are –
1) Would there be a market? Would those countries which might be interested (Brazil first in line, possibly also Argentina) have the budget for it?
2) What aircraft? Only CTOL aircraft in production or under development are US (F-18E, F-35C) or Rafale. If I was selling a carrier, I’d prefer my customers to have other options. One way would be to adapt Tejas for catapult launch.
3) Where to get catapults? The USA is now the only country building them, which would make sales dependent on the USA (though that probably wouldn’t be a problem) unless someone else developed a catapult.
BTW, the ADS is now the IAC – Indigenous Aircraft Carrier.
Broncho, Harry – agreed, Kitty Hawk is too old. She’ll be 48 years old when she retires from the USN (52 years since laid down).
Yes your right there Swerve Italy would certainly benefit from this, using an Indian yard would keep costs down and Cochin would benefit by having the backing of reputable Italian ship designer.
As for aircraft if the customer went down the CTOL route I would of thought that Rafale would be set to benefit. I think Dassault are so desperate for customers they would cheer on any prospect of CTOL new build.
Oh yeah IAC! Force of habit:rolleyes:
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