Why the Fulmar suited a layered carrier defence

How important was the Fulmar to fighter-direction development?

Its endurance made it useful for maintaining a combat air patrol, supported by alert fighters that replaced aircraft already on station.

A Fulmar was ill-suited to scramble from deck and rapidly climb to an incoming raid. It was more useful when already airborne as part of a combat air patrol, with alert fighters launching to replace the patrol rather than intercept immediately. Carrier air defence therefore becomes a rotating system of patrol, reserve, refuelling, and rearming aircraft. A future single-seat fighter could handle rapid interception while the Fulmar's endurance supported the standing patrol.