Aviation should be distributed across a task group according to what each hull does best. Helicopters can be based on escorts or auxiliaries and still coordinated from the carrier, freeing carrier deck and hangar space for a larger fixed-wing force. A destroyer's helicopter remains important because it provides effective anti-submarine reach and supports mine reconnaissance through sonobuoys and other sensors. The aircraft-count question therefore depends on deck capacity, mission specialization, and task-group coordination.
Notable Point · 2:19:34-2:21:41
Task groups should put aircraft on the ships that support them best
Moving helicopters from a carrier to escorts or auxiliaries can free space for fighters, but destroyers still need embarked aviation for underwater warfare.