Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 46:39-46:58

British Apache Guardians fit a tailored carrier air group

A short joint-force answer places Army attack helicopters inside the carrier's mission-specific aviation package.

Aircraft CarriersApache GuardianBritish ArmyRoyal NavyTailored Air Groups
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Question

Would Britain adapt its Apache Guardian helicopters to operate from Royal Navy carriers?

Short answer

Carrier compatibility appears to have been considered as part of the British requirement and the Royal Navy's tailored air-group concept.

Notes

The British carrier does not have to sail with one permanent air-group composition. Apache operation can form part of a tailored group assembled for the deployment. Designing maritime compatibility into the aircraft avoids starting a conversion only when a crisis appears. The Queen Elizabeth class can therefore support joint operations beyond its normal F-35 force.