Carrier development also changed the ships expected to protect aviation units. The Royal Navy anticipated submarine attacks and enemy destroyers trying to reach a carrier with torpedoes, especially at night. Large gun-armed destroyers could drive off those attackers before they closed on the high-value carrier. The requirement fed studies behind the Tribal-class destroyer and Dido-class cruiser programs. A carrier depended on an escort system and operating doctrine from the outset.
Notable Point · 14:17-16:11
Carrier protection shapes Tribal and Dido design thinking
Royal Navy studies treat gun-armed destroyers and light cruisers as carrier protectors against submarines and night torpedo attacks by enemy destroyers.