Q&A ยท 5:05:09-5:06:02

Italian radar forces faster British carrier-aircraft development

Working Italian radar would strengthen the case for better British naval strike aircraft and more urgent Barracuda development.

Question

What if Italy had continued radar research and entered the Second World War with functioning sets?

Short answer

Britain would have stronger reasons to improve naval strike aircraft sooner, with the Barracuda likely to receive greater priority.

Notes

An Italian navy entering the war with working radar would put greater pressure on Britain to improve its naval strike aircraft. Existing British successes had supported the argument that the current aircraft were adequate. More capable Italian defences would weaken that objection to development. In this counterfactual, the Barracuda would probably receive greater priority and suffer fewer delays.