[Retain Mike]

One Navy flyer explained to me that the aircraft carrier was six acres of sovereign territory that can appear anywhere in the world. Compare this with land-based aircraft, which first must be in striking distance of the target, are subject to the same defense constraints, and are much more easily targeted. We must own the land or obtain basing rights with understanding we intend to attack. Also advance bases located in such places as Guam, Okinawa, South Korea, and Japan come with base housing for families. These six acres at sea can hold a near endless array of weapons. My next post about mine warfare provides one example of what should appear.

[pburiak]

I pray that we will have effective defensive countermeasures to hypersonic missiles and stealth/drones to ensure that new tech doesn’t render them sitting ducks against a real enemy.

[KobraKai]

I think the Aircraft Carrier is not obsolete until one gets sunk by missile or drone attack (or something else like a space laser). Until it is actually defeated, it’s one of the most formidable weapons we have.

[Secret Agent Man]

Multiple lasers and rail guns I thinkmare whats needed for the future. Multiple defense and offense layers.

[Leaning Right]

As we all know, the battleship lost its preeminent position early in WW2. Yet the US found a use for battleships well past then - the Iowa wasn’t finally retired until 1990.

I suppose the same situation will hold with aircraft carriers.

[Brian Griffin]

“The term ‘Panamax’ refers to a type of vessel which is of a size and specification specifically designed to pass through the Panama Canal. The maximum dimensions of Panamax vessels are set to ensure they can pass through the canal’s smallest lock. These are:
Length: 294 metres (965 feet)
Width: 32.3 metres (106 feet)
Draft: 12 metres (39.5 feet)
Capacity: 65,000 to 80,000 dwt”

https://www.clarksons.com/glossary/a-guide-to-bulk-vessel-sizes/

USN Panamax Carrier One might go to sea with USN Panamax Rust Bucket 32 and USN Panamax Rust Bucket 47.

They might shift places under an aluminum foil ‘window’ cloud.

A converted merchant ship with ten aircraft might be protected from the sides by two converted merchant ships with just defensive weapons.

Consider the possibility of 10 ship triads carrying a total of 100 aircraft. The triads might also be supported by command, radar and electronic warfare ships.

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

[rellic]

My problem is this:
We are all fighting the last war.
not the next.
Seeing what is going on in the Russian
vs. Ukraine war, has seen an entirely new
kind of warfare for example.

US navy is our biggest asset.
We are innovating, however we are using old
ideas of warfare. Subs, Aircraft carriers,
and supporting ships.
Suppose someone develops a drone
that is a autonomous hunter-killer?
A small nuclear war head can kill an
aircraft carrier.
I could develop such a weapon, I assure you
someone is working on it.
At some point, technology will make
war obsolete.
which is a great thought!

I fully support our military.
I’m not some peace-nick.
USAF Vietnam era, for more than 5 years,
keeping Americas Nuke armed
aircraft at the ready
I’m a retired engineer, and I understand
Computers and “High Tech”.
Robots aren’t that hard to make.