Henderson enters an era without naval treaties and with a Treasury less able to constrain his departments, giving him unusual room to fund experimentation. He could recognize promising aircraft, engine, metallurgy, fire-control, and radio-detection work and place it under organizations he already knew how to direct. Early researchers such as Marconi would receive attention decades before comparable naval funding historically arrived, though their equipment would still have to develop from contemporary science. Informed selection and sustained investment could accelerate several connected fields within those scientific limits. A sufficiently visible lead could create another HMS Warrior moment in which deterrent effect buys time as well as battlefield advantage.
Notable Point · 48:13-54:25
A second Warrior moment through science and deterrence
The scenario's largest payoff may be an early leap in fire control, aviation, propulsion, metallurgy, and radio detection that deters rivals rather than merely winning a race.