Ark Royal as the fleet's alpha-strike carrier

Ark Royal supplied the force's heavy striking punch, able to form a large attack against enemy fleets or ships in harbour. Work by the Harbour Attack Committee on massed attacks against enemy fleets at anchor shows the First World War experience behind this requirement. The Royal Navy intended to combine that alpha strike with armoured-hangar carriers delivering combat air patrols and repeated smaller attacks nearer the battle fleet. Ark Royal retained hull and lower-deck protection, but she was not meant to absorb punishment and continue flying in the same way as an Illustrious-class carrier. Her second hangar provided more aircraft capacity, while HMS Unicorn could supply maintenance and replacements behind the force. Treaty limits prevented the Royal Navy from combining Ark Royal's air group with the desired protection in enough hulls to meet its worldwide commitments.