Hellcats from VF‑80 wait to take off from Ticonderoga on November 5, 1944
One of the significant innovations by the US Navy during World War II was the introduction of shipborne night fighters to protect the fleet from Japanese night air raids. This new tactic emerged in response to the challenges of defending against nocturnal attacks, particularly as Japanese forces began targeting US aircraft carriers during nighttime operations starting in 1943.
Challenges of Night Defense:
- When the US Navy embarked on its offensive across the central Pacific, Japanese forces launched a series of night air raids from land bases. These raids were problematic because American air groups had little experience with night takeoffs and landings, making it difficult to respond effectively.
- Additionally, anti-aircraft fire could sometimes help enemy aircraft locate American ships, as the muzzle flashes from the guns illuminated the fleet’s position, giving away their location in the dark.
Introduction of Radar-Guided Night Fighters:
- The solution to these night raids came in the form of the radar-guided night fighter, a radical shift in fleet defense strategy. The first aircraft used for this purpose was the F6F-3 “Hellcat”, which had already proven itself as the Navy’s day fighter.
- The early system paired the Hellcat with a radar-equipped TBF/M Avenger torpedo bomber. The Hellcats and Avengers would be vectored toward radar contacts by the ship’s fighter direction officer (FDO). Once within 10-15 miles of the enemy, the radar operator onboard the TBF would guide the Hellcats to the target.
- This system, however, was cumbersome and faced many practical challenges, especially in target identification during night intercept missions. One notable example of these difficulties was the loss of Lt. Cdr. Butch O’Hare, the originator of the night fighter plan, during one of the first night missions.
Improvements in Radar Technology:
- The early night missions highlighted the need for better radar systems on the fighters themselves, rather than relying on the Avengers. Initially, radar units were mounted under the wings of the F6F-3N Hellcat. However, this setup caused significant drag and affected the aircraft’s handling, making night landings on carriers especially difficult.
- By 1944, advancements had been made, and the night fighters had improved significantly, making it standard practice for air groups to maintain a night Combat Air Patrol (CAP) to protect the fleet.
Operational Night Fighters:
- The improved night fighters were the F6F-5N Hellcat and the F4U-2N Corsair, both equipped with the Army-Navy Air Pulse Search (AN/APS-4) radar. This radar could detect enemy contacts up to five miles away, giving night fighter pilots greater control over engagements.
- Additionally, the TBM-3N Avenger carried an early form of radar jamming equipment, which proved useful in disrupting Japanese search radars during night raids.
Night Launches and Combat:
- Night fighter launches were challenging and dangerous, carried out via a hydraulic catapult from the bow of the carrier. Pilots had to rely heavily on their instruments in the darkness, making these operations especially perilous.
- Despite the difficulties, the lessons learned from night operations in 1943–44 were crucial to the refinement of night fighter tactics and equipment. By the end of the war, these innovations had significantly enhanced the safety and security of the fleet during nighttime operations, allowing American forces to defend against Japanese night raids effectively.