Wolverhampton also provides primary flight controls for the European fighter, Typhoon, and a main engine lift system for the Rolls-Royce engine on the STOVL version of the U. S. Joint Strike fighter.

And on both sides of the Atlantic the rising cost of the stealthy F-35 Joint Strike Fighter means its order book could shrink sharply.

Like previous assault ships, America can carry Harrier jump jets (pictured) and, eventually, the Marines' vertical-landing F-35B Joint Strike Fighter.