Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:23:41-2:24:31

What Sea Harrier II would change in the Falklands

An early Sea Harrier II would give the British carrier force radar and beyond-visual-range combat capabilities far beyond the aircraft used historically.

Beyond Visual Range Air CombatFalklands WarNaval AviationRoyal NavySea Harrier
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Question

What would an early Sea Harrier II or F-35-level technology mean for British naval aviation?

Short answer

Sea Harrier II alone would radically improve radar and beyond-visual-range combat, probably devastating Argentine air power in the Falklands War.

Notes

The premise supplies Sea Harrier II technology decades early. It was a capable beyond-visual-range fighter with a strong radar. If available during the Falklands War, it would transform the air battle beyond a refinement of vertical-flight engineering. The Argentine Air Force would probably suffer destruction on a scale the historical Sea Harriers could not impose.