Stop Saying the Aircraft Carrier Is Obsolete

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

[Toddsterpatriot]

I heard Andrea Rossi is going to power the Wave Motion Gun with cold fusion.

[xone]

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

Well you are FOS, the success of the Houthis has nothing to do with the ability of the USN to pound the Houthicrap out of them, it is a political decision.

[xone]

Enemies with modern weapons can sink them relatively easily.

Easily? You are a moron.

[Mr. Blond]

They’ll be replaced by drone carriers.

[T.B. Yoits]

Easily? You are a moron.

Yeah, I'm a moron like the think tanks and foreign militaries who concur, including the U.S. Naval Institute.

Again, as I said, enemies with modern weapons can sink them relatively easily.

From 2010:
https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2010/january/fortress-sea-carrier-invulnerability-myth

Pick any or all to take a read one. If a moron like me could read them, you should have no problem understanding the big words and explanations.

https://centerforsecuritypolicy.org/are-navy-aircraft-carriers-destined-for-failure/

https://www.vox.com/world/2016/12/20/14012922/pentagon-underwater-navy-drone-china-seized-trump-taiwan

https://taskandpurpose.com/news/navy-aircraft-carriers-useless-war-china-taiwan/

https://news.usni.org/2021/06/14/mda-u-s-aircraft-carriers-now-at-risk-from-hypersonic-missiles

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/5-reasons-us-aircraft-carriers-are-more-vulnerable-ever-210201

https://globalsecurityreview.com/rethinking-aircraft-carriers/

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/reboot/weapons-could-sink-aircraft-carrier-hypersonic-weapons-are-just-one-178713

Even non-state actors can buy the equipment:
https://www.19fortyfive.com/2025/03/could-the-houthis-sink-a-u-s-navy-aircraft-carrier/
"In recent years, the Houthis have continued to enhance their anti-ship capabilities. They have conducted numerous attacks on commercial shipping and military vessels, employing a mix of anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCMs), drones, and speedboats. The Houthis have also paraded an anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) called Asif, which closely resembles the Iranian Khalij Fars".

[Drago]

SecDef Pete Hegseth: “China could sink entire US carrier fleet in 20 minutes...”

https://interestingengineering.com/military/chinas-could-sink-all-us-carriers

[CodeToad]

USAF Carrier.

[xone]

And they have gotten how many CVNs? That’s right, none. So ‘relatively easily’ is still a bridge too far. Once Iran isn’t doing Ayatollah-like things, Houthi production drops. Anyone else capable of trying the same ends up on the receiving end of nukes. So yeah, still a moron, but keep holding out for the enemies of the US.

[T.B. Yoits]

And they have gotten how many CVNs? That’s right, none. So ‘relatively easily’ is still a bridge too far.

...completely ignoring that the U.S. Navy has changed their tactics because they are fully aware of what current weapons can do to them.

Don't take my moronic words for any of this. Just read their publications about it.

Once Iran isn’t doing Ayatollah-like things, Houthi production drops.

Reread what you wrote and let it sink it. You make the point that the United States has to shut down an entire 3rd tier country because weapons they sell to a non-state actor threatens U.S. aircraft warships. Sounds exactly like what it takes to accommodate the obsolescence of carriers.

[xone]

And because of changing tactics and mobility of the CVN target, 'relatively easy' would never be a term a serious person would use to describe the odds of targeting one. It is all 'easy' when it is tabletop in a conference room.

You make the point that the United States has to shut down an entire 3rd tier country because weapons they sell to a non-state actor threatens U.S. aircraft warships.

Not that point at all, you used the Houthis as 'proof' of the 'easy' concept. Houthis haven't and couldn't scratch the paint on a carrier due to tactics and defensive armaments. But the USN maintains open seas as a matter of policy. Your Houthi brothers do threaten civilians like all terrorists. They fail when they take on pros.

Just read their publications about it.

Because none of the 'think tankers' a part of the MIC. Tabletop warriors. Still a Covid believer too? Think USAID did constructive work for the country?