Alpha strike versus continuous carrier operations

British doctrine did not reduce every carrier to the same pattern. Illustrious-class ships could maintain a steady rhythm of smaller strikes and fighter patrols over a fleet in action. Ark Royal offered the larger opening blow, launching a half or perhaps a full air-group wave around which other carriers could assemble their squadrons. Her speed allowed this valuable strike ship to remain somewhat farther from the most dangerous part of a fleet action. Together the types formed a complementary multi-carrier concept rather than two competing answers to the same requirement.