Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:24:17-2:24:56

Would the Commonwealth develop a fixed-wing V/STOL AEW aircraft?

A purpose-built AEW aircraft loses because governments are assumed to fund only the minimum capability required by the assigned mission.

Airborne Early WarningDefence CooperationNaval AviationNaval ProcurementSea King HelicoptersV/STOL Aircraft
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Question

Could the three navies jointly develop a fixed-wing V/STOL airborne-early-warning aircraft?

Short answer

No. It would add unnecessary development cost when a Sea King conversion already looks adequate on paper.

Notes

A fixed-wing solution could offer an interesting capability. The governments in this scenario are participating because allies have assigned them a mission, not because they want an unconstrained aviation program. A new aircraft would require development, production, training, and support money beyond the carrier purchase. The Sea King AEW appears sufficient and uses an existing fleet. The new aircraft therefore loses to the helicopter already judged adequate for the mission.