[Mad Dawgg]

"It would be interesting to see if we start building many small drone carriers instead of a few large ones."

I think its where we are heading. I've a BIL who is a pilot (flies gulf streams and such) and he told me if you eliminate the pilot and all his support mechanisms you increase the payload capabilities of the same aircraft by about 40%.

[RinaseaofDs]

You can also push the G-force envelop out somewhat if you are not worried about whether the pilot is going to pass out.

[GeronL]

Or we could make them smaller and faster (stealthier?) with the same payload.

[rbmillerjr]

I think we will get a mix of big carriers and eventually smaller one’s.

If a supersonic ship killer or a carrier killing MRBM can kill a big carrier, they can kill a smaller carrier too.

This will not be a simple solution, nor is the Carrier even close to being obsolete. They rule the seas. This is nothing but a Budget perspective. And that is not a good thing.

We will win the avionics and electronics war with the dumb arsed Chinese. They would have their hands full with the Japanese navy of hi tech ships, let alone the US.

[USNBandit]

A cockpit, ejection seat, controls, etc weighs about 800 lb per crew station. The added weight is saved in over engineering more safety for the pilot.

When you look at the X-47b UCAV, you aren't looking at an aircraft to engage other aircraft, you are looking at a strike platform that goes downtown and drops a couple JDAM. They still aren't cheap, and you want them back. That still requires a full sized carrier deck.