Fleet's preferred heavy bomber would give particular attention to maritime strike while retaining a broader bombing role. The desired aircraft would not be a maritime-patrol aircraft or specialize as heavily in maritime attack as the Backfire example. Clarke treats that emphasis chiefly as a weapons-procurement choice, since the aircraft must carry suitable missiles. Fleet clarifies that this preference does not require Britain to develop an entirely new bomber on its own.
Notable Point · 3:23:03-3:24:02
A British heavy bomber would need a maritime-strike role
The proposed maritime emphasis depends on suitable weapons while preserving a heavy bomber's wider role.