Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 4:24:30-4:29:26

A larger Invincible with airborne early warning

The preferred Invincible redesign adds about 8,000 tons, deck-edge lifts, a much larger air group, Sea Wolf, close-in weapons, and Sea King airborne early-warning helicopters available from the outset.

Airborne Early WarningFalklands WarGoalkeeper CIWSInvincible Class Aircraft CarriersPhalanx CIWSSea DartSea HarrierSea King HelicoptersSea Wolf Missile
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Question

How would the panel redesign the Invincible-class carriers?

Short answer

Make them about 8,000 tons larger with deck-edge lifts, stronger self-defence, 24 Sea Harriers, 24 Sea Kings, and operational airborne early warning from the start.

Notes

Adding about 8,000 tons and deck-edge lifts would provide more hangar space for 24 Sea Harriers and 24 Sea Kings. The proposed helicopter group is sixteen antisubmarine Sea Kings, four airborne early-warning aircraft, and four commando Sea Kings available for transport and search and rescue. With 24 fighters, the ship would exceed the stated minimum of eighteen for air defence and could sometimes also generate a strike. One panelist proposes removing Sea Dart to install Sea Wolf. Clarke would retain Sea Dart because of the escort force's condition, then add two sextuple Sea Wolf launchers and at least two Phalanx or Goalkeeper installations. Airborne early warning would be available when the carrier entered service.