Q&A ยท 17:38-19:13

Would ASW helicopters rescue the hybrid-carrier idea?

Helicopters offer an anti-submarine role, but a hybrid still needs a clear reason to combine aviation with a battleship.

Question

Would helicopters make the hybrid design useful for anti-submarine warfare?

Short answer

A helicopter could perform anti-submarine work, but the hybrid still needs a clear mission that justifies combining aviation with a battleship.

Notes

A helicopter could undertake anti-submarine warfare, but the combination still needs a clear operational purpose. Ise and Hyuga's planned aviation group consisted of dive bombers and reconnaissance aircraft. For those aircraft, two catapults and the need to launch clear of the guns prevented a rapid sequence of launches. The helicopter suggestion changes the possible aviation role without establishing why a converted battleship is the right ship for it.