The working minimum for maintaining a four-aircraft package is 18 aircraft. The proposed cycle puts four fighters and one airborne early warning helicopter in the air, another group ready on deck, and another at hangar alert. The remaining airframes rotate through maintenance and preparation. Twenty-four Sea Harriers, organised as two squadrons, provide more depth than that minimum. Increasing the helicopter force to 24 anti-submarine Sea Kings and six early warning aircraft would produce a 54-aircraft group.
Chapter · 59:35-1:01:12
Sustaining a fighter patrol and airborne early warning
A larger Sea Harrier force supports a continuous four-aircraft patrol while keeping replacements ready and allowing for maintenance.