A stealth carrier fleet needs planes, of course, and now we are testing them out:
During the 10 days of testing aboard the USS Wasp, the Marines will fly the F-35B carrying air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons to mimic combat conditions.
In standard amphibious warfare configuration, the air component would have just 6 F-35Bs along with V-22s and armed and transport helicopters. As a light carrier the ships could carry 16 F-35Bs and 6 V-22s used as aerial refueling planes to extend the range of the F-35Bs. Or for maximum aircraft strength the ships could hold 20 F-35Bs.
As our fleet (and large carrier force) shrinks, we really need this reserve light aircraft carrier capability.
