Some small navies around the world (or largest ones with budget problems) may consider this set up: a small, STOL (Short Take Off and Landing) plane and a flat deck merchant ship for future low cost naval aviation?
Just kidding.
Still, the video, recorded with several cameras including some inside the plane and others on a Cessna 172 camera ship, is interesting as it shows the extreme STOL Foxbat A22 landing on a modest 3,500-ton multipurpose vessel 93 meters in length.
The small aircraft was flying just above stall speed, the ship was sailing at 9 knots into the wind and, even if the air speed was enough to keep the Foxbat flying, the speeed relative to the ship was almost zero.
Using a procedure that vaguely reminds that of real STOVL planes (like the F-35B and, above all, the AV-8B Harrier) approaching an amphibious assault ship, the A22 nears the deck in front of bridge 60 metres x 15 meters and then almost falls vertically to touchdown.
H/T to Michael Guthenberg for the heads-up
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The video shows that it didn’t land on the first attempt. That high pylon on the bow is scary.
I like the idea of some small careers beside the Nimitz/ Ford. I guess a career like this can carry around 10 aircrafts, that’s not big enough.
10 fighters are a good support, but I don’t see any possible mission it could do. As a “scout” career it wont have any protection and couldn’t effort any combat. With protection it can’t be a stealthy scout and the cost are too big compared to the potential.
If I have to buy a budget career, I would take the america class or the south korean one.
p.s.: weren’t there some cargo ships just as careers in WW2?
This is not a new concept. It’s been studied since the 60’s and always comes up short.
Back to the future! A mini-escort carrier with mini-air wing.
hmmm mama said stupid is as stupid does,,, think that is why they have helicopters,,,