S.23/37 was a proposed specialist observation aircraft built around a striking requirement. The Fleet Air Arm wanted an exceptionally quiet carrier aircraft able to follow an enemy force through darkness without revealing itself. Its reports would help the fleet close the range before opening fire with concentrated weapons. The concept shows that interwar British naval aviation requirements grew directly from a doctrine of finding and stalking an opponent for a night surface engagement. This passage places the aircraft inside a fleet-wide reconnaissance and gunnery system rather than treating it as an independent striking arm.
Notable Point · 10:06-11:09
The Fleet Air Arm plans a silent night-shadow aircraft
The preceding S.23/37 requirement reveals a Royal Navy concept for quietly shadowing an enemy fleet at night before a close-range surface attack.