The Fairey Swordfish's torpedo-spotter-reconnaissance designation connects modern drone support with an older naval role. At Narvik, a Swordfish from HMS Warspite flew ahead through the fjords and located a German destroyer waiting in ambush. The warning allowed the British ships to round the corner with their guns already trained and loaded. A modest aircraft could therefore shape a surface action through information even when it did not strike the target itself.
Notable Point · 2:02:52-2:04:10
Swordfish spotting turned the tables at Narvik
A Fairey Swordfish spotting for HMS Warspite at Narvik demonstrates that the reconnaissance role now associated with drones has deep naval precedent.