A 35,000-ton Invincible-class carrier

What changes if the Invincible class is enlarged to 35,000 tons?

It becomes a far more balanced carrier with roughly forty aircraft, organic airborne early warning, stronger point defense, and better aircraft handling.

Growing Invincible by roughly 13,000 tons creates room for a much larger air group. The initial estimate of 54 aircraft is revised to about 42: eighteen Sea Harriers, eighteen anti-submarine Sea Kings, and six airborne-early-warning aircraft. The revision distinguishes theoretical capacity from an operational complement and acknowledges that the navy often lacked enough aircraft to fill its carriers. A larger design might also have brought Sea King airborne early warning into service before the Falklands War. Sea Wolf alongside Sea Dart, Goalkeeper or Phalanx close-in weapons, and deck-edge lifts are suggested as further possibilities. These gains depend on both the larger hull and a willingness to purchase the aircraft and systems needed to use it.