A multinational market for helicopter early warning

Joint procurement would probably bring Sea King airborne early warning into service before the Falklands War. Four aircraft per carrier, with supporting airframes, could produce a fleet of at least 48; six per carrier raises the projected total to 72 including spares. The larger estimate allocates about 36 to Britain and 18 each to Australia and Canada. Several operators would share the incentive to maintain and improve the system. US amphibious groups already operating Harriers could become interested in the early warning equipment or concept without necessarily adopting the Sea King airframe. Wider use would lower the cost of entry while the system retained its usefulness. Helicopter early warning would remain an additional option for ships unable to operate fixed-wing aircraft, with less capability than Hawkeye or E-3 aircraft.