The Swordfish retains the range for distant anti-submarine patrols and anti-shipping attacks. Helicopters would handle local anti-submarine work and could attack small craft with cannons, depth charges, or rockets. Attacking a warship is more dangerous because a slow helicopter must face heavier anti-aircraft fire. A merchant-ship boarding party is another possible load, although the small number of personnel it can carry limits that option. Longer-ranged fixed-wing aircraft and local helicopter patrols would therefore remain useful alongside each other.
Notable Point · 1:01:14-1:02:48
Swordfish range and helicopter responsiveness divide the work
Swordfish retain longer-range missions, while helicopters could handle local ASW and small-craft attacks; heavy anti-aircraft fire and small boarding loads limit other uses.