The calculation behind a 60-to-80-aircraft carrier includes fighter and strike squadrons plus roughly two dozen supporting aircraft for anti-submarine warfare and airborne early warning. A British proposal used helicopters with a rear-loading arrangement that could accept commando, ASW, or AEW mission modules. One group of airframes could then change roles instead of carrying a separate specialist fleet for every task. The flexible system did not proceed because it still required investment, showing how economy can defeat versatility.
Notable Point · 39:08-40:11
A modular helicopter concept for carrier flexibility
A British proposal sought to swap commando, anti-submarine, and airborne-early-warning modules into common helicopter airframes instead of embarking a specialist fleet for every role.