Just a half-baked notion...but what about a hybrid STOBAR/CATOBAR carrier design, as a cost saving measure, which technically might facilitate a somewhat smaller carrier design with conventional aircraft benifits...
The hybrid notion is a shorter stroke steam or electric catapult, which instead of running to the end of the flight-deck, runs up to the start of a ski-jump ramp, with the ski-jump complementing the catapults derived kinetic energy with the angle of attack = lift...
So, I envisaged this arrangement being more effective than the inherent STOBAR arrangement currently employed, for the existing use of STOBAR / Su-33, MiG-29K, Tejas and J-15 used by Russian, Indian, and Chinese, because these aircraft have to sacrifice internal fuel and weapons loads, taking away their full potential/capability, just to take off...
My notion is that with the combination of short catapult combined with a ski-jump, such aircraft, as well as the likes of F/A-18A/B/C/D Hornet, S-2T Turbo Tracker, E-2 Hawkeye and Rafale M could be used both effectively and economically from a carrier design that is smaller, lighter and hence cheaper.
As an addition, I envisage, in the scenario in which the catapult is down (be it break down or battle damage) aircraft - prodomantly fighter's could still be launched for defence of the carrier/fleet, alas with reduced fuel and weapons load....
Any way, just a thought 😳
MAD