The first task of defending fighters was not necessarily to destroy every attacker, but to disrupt a large, coordinated formation. Heavy and medium AA would then fragment it further, impose stress, and force aircraft to attack singly or turn away. This mattered because a maneuvering ship could often evade one poorly coordinated attack, while simultaneous attacks from several bearings created the greatest danger. The system therefore measured success in disruption and deterrence as well as aircraft destroyed.
Chapter · 1:22:51-1:25:05
How layered fleet air defense was meant to work
Fighters, heavy AA, medium guns, and light weapons formed successive layers intended to break a coordinated strike into attacks that ships could evade or defeat.