CATOBAR would have made the E-2 Hawkeye the obvious airborne early-warning aircraft, but a helicopter system can operate from many more flight decks. On this assessment, Crowsnest is a useful 70-80 percent solution for ships unable to operate Hawkeye. British rotary-wing AEW expertise could also provide a route toward future uncrewed systems for helicopter-capable ships. Keeping procurement and expertise in Britain makes the capability harder for future governments to cut than a system whose employment benefits flow overseas. This choice trades some performance for wider deployment and a domestic base that can support further development.
Notable Point · 35:05-38:22
Crowsnest, Hawkeye, and the 70-80 percent solution
Helicopter-borne Crowsnest is less capable than Hawkeye, but it can deploy from more ships and draws on British industry.