Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:48:30-2:50:13

A post-Falklands British 70,000-ton carrier air wing

A large British carrier ordered after the Falklands would likely mix Tomcats, a renewed Buccaneer strike aircraft, Hawkeye early warning, and perhaps S-3 Vikings.

Falklands WarFleet CarriersNaval AviationRoyal NavyShip Design
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Question

What aircraft might Britain fly from new 70,000-ton carriers ordered after the Falklands?

Short answer

Likely F-14 Tomcats, a modernized Buccaneer, E-2 Hawkeyes, and possibly S-3 Vikings.

Notes

F-14 Tomcats are the probable fighter choice for hypothetical 70,000-ton British carriers ordered after the Falklands War. Continued Tomcat production would leave time for such a purchase. A new Buccaneer variant could provide a British strike aircraft, while Hawkeyes would be a straightforward early-warning purchase. S-3 Vikings are raised as a further possibility, without a firm choice.