Q&A ยท 2:21:11-2:22:35

What helicopter ASW would demand of an escort

Practical helicopter anti-submarine warfare would require a larger escort with space for hangar facilities and several aircraft.

Question

What if practical helicopter anti-submarine warfare arrived while Second World War escorts were being designed?

Short answer

Escorts would need to be larger, with room for hangars and multiple helicopters, but could still be built in useful numbers.

Notes

The answer argues that a Flower-sized escort would not provide enough space for a useful helicopter capability. A roughly 1,500-ton ship could retain escort combat functions while adding the length and hangar volume aviation requires. Some small civilian yards would need upgrades, so production would not be as simple as the historical Flower programme. Because early helicopters would be unreliable, each escort might need space to carry and maintain three, while capital ships could also replace floatplanes with the new aircraft.