Q&A ยท 26:58-29:13

How CVA-01 aircraft might have attacked Veinticinco de Mayo

Former Buccaneer aircrew outline a two-wave missile-and-bomb attack against Argentina's carrier group in a CVA-01 counterfactual.

Question

How would a British CVA-01 air group have attacked Veinticinco de Mayo and her escorts during the Falklands War?

Short answer

Buccaneers would likely launch missiles first, then return with bombs under Phantom and electronic-warfare cover to finish the carrier and surviving escorts.

Notes

Five former Buccaneer pilots and observers advised that the attack would open with a missile wave against the carrier group. Those aircraft would likely approach without Phantom escorts, release their anti-ship weapons, and withdraw. A second wave of bomb-armed Buccaneers would then arrive with Phantom cover, electronic jamming, and suppression of remaining defenses. The strike would prioritize Veinticinco de Mayo before turning to surviving escorts, using missiles first and bombs for the follow-up attack.