Launching a rapid anti-shipping strike

Six additional Harriers could remain configured with Sea Eagle and Sidewinder missiles while the carrier maintains its fighter alert. Launching them with four covering fighters would produce a ten-aircraft package. A ski-jump departure allows the next aircraft to follow once the previous aircraft has cleared the ramp, without resetting a catapult. This arrangement suits a relatively small strike whose mission does not demand a heavy bomb load at very long range. Against a Kirov-type threat, aircraft could approach at low level through radar clutter before launching anti-ship missiles, following the same principle as the planned Buccaneer tactics. The proposed carrier would still have less reach than a CATOBAR carrier.