The interwar division was between officers who emphasised spotting and those who pushed harder for aircraft strike. Even strike advocates admitted that contemporary aircraft were not yet able to replace every surface weapon. Henderson spent years campaigning for a useful dive-bombing sight to improve carrier aircraft. British designs remained multi-seat and multi-role because reconnaissance, spotting, and shadowing were still expected from nearly every carrier aircraft.
Chapter · 48:09-50:12
Spotting admirals and strike admirals
The key divide was between emphasis on aircraft as fleet sensors and confidence in them as independent strike weapons.