Was the Fairey Gannet's airborne-early-warning equipment still useful in the 1980s?
Short answerYes; its technology was broadly carried into the Sea King AEW conversion, where it continued the same warning role from a new airframe.
NotesThe Gannet's airborne-early-warning equipment remained capable enough for later use. The Royal Navy broadly transferred that technology into the Sea King helicopter to create its AEW variant. A proven sensor suite could therefore survive the retirement of its original airframe and provide a rapid replacement capability.