The Red Fleet counterfactual gives Argentina an Essex-class carrier with Crusaders and sends British Phantoms south aboard Malta-class carriers. The predicted British advantage depends on missiles and engagement conditions as well as the aircraft themselves. Phantoms allowed to engage beyond visual range could attack before Crusaders reached a close dogfight. The exact Sparrow version has not been settled, although the expectation is that Britain would receive the latest available missiles, as it received improved Sidewinders historically. Gannet airborne early warning would help locate approaching aircraft and support the British fighters. These are assumptions about an alternative campaign.
Notable Point · 5:11:24-5:14:14
Phantoms, Crusaders and airborne warning in a Falklands counterfactual
A hypothetical carrier battle shows how missile versions, rules of engagement and airborne warning could shape the outcome before opposing fighters reach dogfighting range.