Surface-to-air missiles could engage beyond visual range, but they could not verify an uncertain radar contact during a tense period short of war. A flight pattern resembling a Soviet maritime patrol aircraft did not by itself establish a target's identity. Firing on that basis risked shooting down an airliner and turning a crisis into a war. Carrier aircraft could fly out to inspect the contact before the force chose whether to engage it. This identification role formed part of the case for the Invincible class even as shipboard missiles became more capable.
Chapter · 58:55-1:00:29
Carrier aircraft could identify contacts before a missile launch
Aircraft aboard Invincible-class carriers could inspect uncertain contacts, reducing the risk of firing at a civilian airliner during a crisis.