The intended post-1942 carrier group divided long-range reconnaissance, interception, strike, and bombing-reconnaissance among specialized aircraft. The Barracuda represented an ambitious technological leap within that system. Repeated changes of engine mark, mounting points, propeller, and airframe complicated development even when an engine family retained the same name. The Albacore was therefore procured as insurance against war arriving before the desired generation was ready. Because war did come early, squadrons fought for years with equipment that had originally been accepted as an interim bridge.
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The Barracuda belonged to a disrupted plan for a modern carrier air group
The Barracuda was intended to join the Firefly and new fighters in a post-1942 air group, but engine changes, development delays, and early war forced interim solutions.