Aircraft, Antisubmarine

Until the 1950s, aviation had little effect in antisubmarine warfare (ASW), as it was next to impossible to spot a submerged submarine from the air. Technology limited air crews to eyesight (later aided by radio direction finders and radar) and experience to detect a submarine either surfaced or snorkeling to transmit radio signals or resupply air and/or stores. It wasn’t until sonar was adapted to aviation that aviation earned its true place in ASW. Newer and more affordable submarine designs allow smaller countries and smugglers to expand undersea capabilities, pushing aviation ASW to the forefront. The ASW airframe designs are unique in that they must fly “low and slow” and by a patient pilot. This entry describes the types of missions and aircraft and discusses ...