Dedicated airborne early warning would have let Sea Harriers meet Argentine aircraft from an ambush position instead of repeatedly playing catch-up. Without it, the Royal Navy pushed Type 42 destroyers and Type 22 frigates forward in combined pickets to create more warning and interception opportunities. Argentine aircraft were already operating near their range limits and could not afford long engagements, so earlier cues would compound that constraint. The missing sensor therefore reshaped fighter tactics and escort deployment across the task force.
Notable Point · 1:08:42-1:11:30
How the Falklands task force tried to create fighter ambushes
Forward Type 42-Type 22 pickets tried to give Sea Harriers the warning needed to ambush Argentine aircraft operating near their range limits.