French planners wanted strike aircraft that could attack targets ashore or at sea and assist with anti-submarine work. This flexibility allowed one aircraft type to answer several tactical demands. Long-range reconnaissance gave commanders the information needed to leave an area, concentrate with allies, or operate independently. Fighters formed the outer layer of air defence by breaking an incoming strike into small, uncoordinated attacks. Those scattered aircraft were easier for shipboard anti-aircraft fire to engage than a formation able to mass against one ship.
Chapter · 17:58-20:07
A flexible air group and fighter doctrine
French naval aviation sought flexible strike and reconnaissance aircraft, while fighters were meant to break up attacks before they could concentrate.