Suitability of the CL-84 Tiltwing Aircraft for the Sea Control Ship System 720852
Effectiveness of the Sea Control Ship (SCS) concept depends on the aircraft it carries. A new class of aircraft, typified by the CL-84, has demonstrated performance that can greatly expand the usefulness of the SCS. Austerity of the system is emphasized to allow for a high number of ships to protect military and civil shipping over a wide area. Catapults and arresting gear are excluded, and launch and recovery of aircraft depend on V/STOL performance.
The CL-84 has the ability to take off and land vertically, and with a very short deck run can greatly increase payload or fuel load. It also has high-speed, endurance, and altitude capability exceeding that possible with today's rotary wing aircraft. Thus, it has the capacity to extend the ASW and AEW defense perimeter of the SCS system well beyond that otherwise attainable.
