Use a strategic reconnaissance aircraft to execute sea search missions?
During the development of the "Dark Night Phoenix," the Air Force indeed extended an invitation to the Navy to join in and share the expensive development costs.
Initially, during the research phase for an interceptor, the Navy was indeed interested.
Don't forget, the Navy has always used shipborne fighters as interceptors and pays special attention to high-altitude and high-speed performance, valuing it more than the agility favored by the Air Force. In fact, as early as the second Global War, the Empire's Navy shipborne fighters were already particularly heavy. Even after the war, this tradition didn't change. Obviously, high-altitude and high-speed interceptors have a significant appeal to the Navy.
However, after further understanding, the Navy withdrew from the project.
