The third episode of the documentary is on tonight at 2000 on BBC 2, including the first SRVL landing.
Carriers are not all about jets. The CVS (
Invincible class) was originally designed to operate nine or so ASW Sea Kings to protect task groups and convoys, to which the Sea Harrier was later added to deal with Bears providing long range guidance for submarine launched missiles. Later, post 2000 ir so, squadrons of six Marlins would embark.
Given the greater range and endurance, can they achieve the same level of coverage with six aircraft? Against a limited threat, perhaps three cabs an a towed array frigate (with extra Merlin) is enough? Or at least enough to protect the carrier (only)?
Even with a limited threat, perhaps a couple of SSKs, you would still want to use things such as helicopters with dipping sonar AND frigates with towed array. It is a carrier role - and wonder if any carriers will take part in next year's Exercise
Defender 2020?
Back to the jets, this
Corbett Paper makes the point that have carriers up to speed with having jets embarked, they need to be embarked regularly.