Stop Saying the Aircraft Carrier Is Obsolete

National Security Journal ^ | 6/19/2025 | James Jay Carafano

[whyilovetexas111]

Maybe the floating airbase will make it? Iran might find out soon enough.

[V_TWIN]

I’ve never heard any suggestion Aircraft Carriers were being considered Obsolete.

News to me.

[PGR88]

The question is - if today we didn’t have any and were starting from zero - would we be rushing to build aircraft carriersl?

[Brian Griffin]

“Don’t put all your eggs in one basket”

It is my understanding that the US Navy can’t assure the free passage of ships in the Red Sea.

[kiryandil]

Sure, James Jay Carafano.

[Brian Griffin]

Most traditional expensive weapons systems are obsolete.

Look at what happened to Russian tanks in Ukraine.

Look what Ukraine did to the Russian navy in the Black Sea.

[Red Badger]

Next step in naval evolution: Aircraft Carrier SUBMARINES....................

[rexthecat]

Carriers won’t be obsolete until one is sunk by a hypersonic missile.

[Carry_Okie]

Look what Ukraine did to the Russian navy in the Black Sea.

While I agree that surface ships are now at serious risk, a workable laser defense system could change that picture completely.

[Kudsman]

Nice. Can’t wait to begin see Space Force concept designs.

[DIRTYSECRET]

Bottom line: Would you want one of your sons to serve on one?

[Frank Drebin]

Tired of hearing this as well. If being vulnerable to attack means obsolescence then all ships are obsolete. Always have been.

The carrier, at its introduction, was able to be sunk by a couple of well placed 1,000 lb bombs falling from a single engine diver. Frankly the battleship is not obsolete either with proper air, tarp, and missile defense.

Battle group effectiveness against all attack vectors determines survivability of ships.

[Brian Griffin]

Taiwan and its neighbors:

https://www.google.com/maps/@23.3256192,130.2842803,5z?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDYxNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

Taiwan can afford to buy lots of US warplanes and missiles and store them securely.

[Kudsman]

Fair. I can only speak for myself. Doesn't matter what I want. Absolutely would offer my opinion. Which is yes. Now.

If he chose it, I would be worried and pray so much more than I currently do. But I would be filled with a certain pride. Thx for asking. How about you?

[null and void]

Nice. Can’t wait to begin see Space Force concept designs.

[allendale]

The silicon chip made naval surface combatants obsolete.

[Kudsman]

Hmmm. Cigar shaped. Now if you coated that with huge layers of refractory rock formations, it might look like an asteroid. Crazy man, crazy.

[Brian Griffin]

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/18/how-has-iran-managed-to-pierce-through-israels-air-defence-systems

[Salgak]

[datricker]

You have the boat to launch the planes to protect the boat. It’s a self licking ice cream cone.