Six early warning helicopters would allow periods with two aircraft airborne when the threat increased. A more configurable system could also permit an anti-submarine helicopter to exchange its mission equipment for early warning equipment while at sea. Interchangeable airframes and removable mission pods were considered repeatedly, especially in connection with Merlin. The proposal was abandoned because it did not appear economically sensible or viable. Additional international partners are a possible reason for pursuing greater flexibility in the counterfactual programme.
Notable Point · 1:15:30-1:16:22
Interchangeable helicopter mission equipment
A larger helicopter fleet raises the possibility of reinforcing early warning by exchanging mission equipment aboard anti-submarine airframes.