Numéro : 2023 - Year : 1987
The helicopter in naval warfare
L.H HOUOT, Capitaine de Frégate, Etat- Major de la Marine, Division « Opérations »
Sea supremacy, a prerequisite for the survival of modern economies, is only achieved if naval forces can ensure their own safety. Aircraft, either land-based or shipborne, enable to collect plot information in the vicinity of naval forces, thereby giving them the initiative in action. They also make it possible to engage an opponent should the situation dictate without .ieopardi7ing scarce, high-value naval units.
The shipborne helicopter projects the capabilities of the sensors and weapons of its parent ship and is part of her weapons systems. Its versatility makes it possible to use the helicopter in almost all warfare areas in addition to its significant role in SAR operations. Adequately used as a short-range MPA, the helicopter is relatively safe. The appearance of a helicopter over the horizon generally means to an opponent a pending threat which may not be easy to counter.
Although it may be reproached a number of things, its various navies, turning small ships into aircraft-carriers, led to significant developments in naval warfare.
Advanced search
Year