Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 4:35:34-4:35:59

Sea Dart gave the Invincible class a real fleet-air-defense role

Sea Dart contributed useful air defense; a larger carrier with Sea Wolf as well is suggested as a stronger option.

Aircraft CarriersInvincible Class Aircraft CarriersNaval Air DefenceRoyal NavySea DartSea Wolf Missile
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Question

Was Sea Dart on the Invincible-class through-deck cruisers useful or a waste of space?

Short answer

Useful; it made the ships contributors to fleet air defense, though a larger design with both Sea Dart and Sea Wolf would have been better protected.

Notes

Sea Dart is judged useful aboard the Invincible-class through-deck cruisers. The preferred alternative in the answer is a slightly larger ship carrying Sea Wolf as well. The combination would make the carrier a stronger contributor to the formation's air defense. This is a proposed improvement to the design, while the existing Sea Dart installation is still considered worthwhile.