A weapon system developed for Taranto's problem

The available bombs could not yet impose the required damage on capital ships reliably, while the aerial torpedo had been developed over decades. The Swordfish's slow, stable flight characteristics supported a level release that would not break up the weapon. Illustrious had also been designed to reconfigure, maintain, launch, and recover its air group quickly. The raid depended on an integrated system of weapon, aircraft, aircrew, carrier, intelligence, and operating doctrine built up over many years.