A single fixed-wing combat type can shift between fleet defence and naval strike, giving a small carrier force more aircraft for whichever mission is urgent. Ka-25 helicopters handle anti-submarine work. The Red Fleet briefly adds dedicated strike aircraft in the late 1960s and early 1970s, then returns to a homogeneous fixed-wing group as multi-role aircraft improve. Graf Zepplinski also trials early AEW concepts. The proposed radar aircraft remain intentionally undefined because the alternate timeline has no direct Soviet design to follow.
Notable Point · 49:31-57:16
Carrier aviation moves toward multi-role jets and AEW
The Red Fleet pursues economy of scale through multi-role aircraft while experimenting with carrier airborne early warning.