Invincible's compact design traded away independent capability

Invincible was oriented around Sea King helicopters and the expected Merlin successor, but the class was shorter and smaller than many naval proposals. Centreline lifts consumed space that deck-edge lifts could have left available for the hangar. Larger designs were proposed and deck-edge lifts were discussed, although they did not appear in those designs. The Royal Navy already had plans for a Sea King airborne-early-warning variant, but expected access to allied early-warning aircraft made funding difficult to obtain. Invincible was supposed to fight peer or near-peer opponents within range of friendly land-based fighters and AEW cover. These assumptions constrained where the ship could operate independently.