[pepsi_junkie]

As you layer on each new threat you have two choices; make the ship bigger to hold more defenses, or make it smaller so it will be a more difficult target. I’m guessing the Navy will go with the former.

If the role was merely to defend ownship, sure, make it smaller and more maneuverable with a low cross section and robust self defense capacity. But the mission of these ships is to defend the battle group and/or other designated assets. Can't make the carriers smaller realistically. So either more defenders or more capable defenders are called for,

[Gen.Blather]

“So either more defenders or more capable defenders are called for, “

The US Navy appears to be the leader in swarm defense. By that I think they mean to defend against swarm attacks and to use swarm tactics in defense and offense. The answer may not be more and bigger ships, but smaller and more numerous unmanned ships spread out over a wider area. In reading about what the Navy is doing, I have a good feeling they are doing the right things. They appear to have a forward thinking group of mission planners.