After World War II, the Soviet's increased submarine technology led to the formation of special anti-submarine warfare (ASW) carrier groups. The threat of high-speed submarine attacks also prompted the Navy to seek faster surface ASW forces, including new fast escort carriers. The existing World War II era escort carriers [CVEs] were too slow to operate against the new threat. They were also too small to operate the newest ASW aircraft. Three alternatives were considered: construct new CVEs, rebuild existing CVEs, or convert surplus large-deck Essex-class carriers -- the solution actually adopted. The Essexes were relegated to the "low-end" mission of antisubmarine warfare (ASW) and were redesignated CVS. During the 1950's, there had never been enough CVSs for sea lane protection, and by the early 1973's there were no "low-end" carriers at all.
The sea control ship was a new concept in Naval Aviation, to provide sea-going airpower for limited combat situations. Ships of this type came into existence at the beginning of the 20th century. During the World War II era they were used effectively to replace more costly ships. It was anticipated that the sea control shio would operate with a mixture of rotary wing-and V/STOL type aircraft. Modern technological developments, notably the VSTOL Harrier, increased its potential, as part of a mixed force with the high-end, high-technology, large- deck carriers.In the early 1970's, the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, proposed a design and procurement concept called "High-Low." He recommended that the Navy build new ships that would be moderately capable, less costly, and built in greater numbers than the existing highly capable but costly vessels. The new low-technology ships would complement, not replace, the existing high-technology ships. They would operate in lower threat areas, freeing high-technology ships to concentrate in the higher threat areas.One type of ship ADM Zumwalt proposed was the Sea Control Ship (SCS), a small, austere aircraft carrier. Because of LPH-9 GUAM's similarity to a conceptual Sea Control Ship, she was selected during the summer of 1971 for the Navy's Interim Sea Control Ship (ISCS) project.The ISCS is fully able to support 14 SH-3H ASW helicopters (plus 3 AV-8A [Harrier] and 4 LAMPS)." Although the SCS concept called for a limited general purpose ship, the testing concentrated on only one mission, ASW.The SCS was not built by the US Navy and no dedicated, fixed-wing-aircraft-capable ship exists to fill the mission of open-ocean ASW and convoy escort.In 1981 the LHA-4 Nassau undertook a proof of concept demonstration of the Sea Control mission, operating 19 [or 20, depending on the source] Harriers. Nassau again embarked 20 Harriers in 1990 for operations in Iraq. And during Opeation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, both LHD-5 Bataan and LHD-6 Bon Homme Richard each operated 24 Harriers.
Dauphin, Alouette III, Puma ), the earlier for ASW and SAR, the latter for utility and long range transport, while the NH90 is meant to do it all and replace them infuture. For IN currently the older Kamovs will be used, while they will be replaced by multi role NH90s or S70s, that's why a mix of 3 x AEW and 3 x NH90/S70 helicopter (4+4 at max) would not be surprising and would allow 22 to 24 fighters, possibly more on IAC1.
