Aircraft appearing over the hills around San Carlos could reach ships before defensive missiles had enough distance to arm. Better radar would still help direct gunfire, but it could not remove the short engagement ranges imposed by the terrain. In the Red Fleet counterfactual, Gannets and Phantoms provide an earlier defensive layer, with air battles envisaged well west of the islands. The historical choice of San Carlos is explained through Michael Clapp's experience as a Buccaneer observer: surrounding terrain obstructed missile approaches and gave attacking pilots little time to aim and release bombs. Short bombing runs also created arming problems, although repeated attacks could still inflict losses. Clarke criticizes the BBC World Service for revealing the bomb-arming problem, arguing that this compromised part of that protection. Even a more limited Sea King airborne-warning capability is judged capable of substantially reducing historical British losses.
Notable Point · 5:57:45-6:02:15
Why San Carlos compressed the air-defence battle
San Carlos's terrain shortened both defensive missile engagements and Argentine bombing runs. The Red Fleet counterfactual adds carrier fighters and airborne warning that could intercept attackers much farther away.