Type 26 mission-bay concepts provide a starting point for a much larger flexible aviation and boat facility. A routine load might include three Merlin-sized helicopters, numerous uncrewed aircraft, surface vehicles, underwater vehicles, containers, and equipment for producing expendable sonobuoys. The helicopters and rotary-wing drones could conduct antisubmarine searches, deploy dipping sonar, sonobuoys, or torpedoes, and provide airborne early warning. Towed-array surface craft would patrol around the ship, while armed boats or uncrewed craft guarded against close small-boat attacks. Electronic-warfare drones could extend the screen further. The result is effectively a task group concentrated around one large command and support hull, while deliberately avoiding the maintenance burden of a crewed fixed-wing air group.
Chapter · 2:18:58-2:22:59
The mission bay turns one hull into a self-escorting flotilla
Helicopters and uncrewed air, surface, and underwater vehicles could give the capital ship its own ASW screen, early warning, and close protection.