Radar's value to British night carrier doctrine

How important would earlier radar have been to Swordfish night operations?

Extremely important; it complemented existing beacon work and gave the Navy an active means to find ships and guide aircraft at night.

The Royal Navy quickly embraced radar because its carrier aviators were already trying to solve related problems with radio beacons. Beacons helped aircraft return from long-range and night missions. Radar added an active means of finding enemy ships after dark. It therefore strengthened reconnaissance, strike direction, and aircraft recovery together.