Guided-weapon intelligence reaches British ship design early

Britain need not know every technical detail for the German program to affect its plans. Fairly accurate intelligence, or at least substantial warning, would probably reach British decision-makers. German use of companies and research arrangements outside the country would create information flows that made complete secrecy difficult. Henderson, the Third Sea Lord responsible for Royal Navy procurement and construction, would likely see the issue in 1935-36. That timing would allow responses to be designed into new ships and aircraft before combat losses forced improvisation. Existing close-range anti-dive-bomber ideas such as the Vickers quad machine-gun mount would consequently be reassessed against a stand-off guidance aircraft.