The Type 26 family's aviation arrangements are an integral part of anti-submarine warfare rather than an accessory to the missile battery. The likely Royal Navy arrangement would put Merlin helicopters on City-class ships for specialist ASW work, with Wildcats concentrated on other escorts. The mission-bay handling system, provision for UAVs and a flight deck able to take a Chinook widen the ship's options for sensors, stores and aircraft support. Aviation capacity and handling spaces therefore belong in any comparison of modern submarine hunters.
Chapter · 19:11-20:02
Merlin, Wildcat and UAVs in the ASW aviation package
Merlin and Wildcat options, UAV facilities and a Chinook-capable deck show how aviation extends the frigate's submarine-hunting reach.