[central_va]

6 things can happen to a A/C carrier as of a result of a naval engagement with the enemy.

1. The carrier is unharmed and continues to fight the enemy.
2. The carrier is sunk outright.
3. The carrier is heavily damaged and considered not repairable but continues to float abandoned. It may be on fire and smoking heavily. Usually scuttled.
4. The carrier is severely damaged but reparable and not abandoned and towed. Requires a dry dock to repair.
5. The carrier is damaged, perhaps severely, but under its own power proceeds to a repair facility. No dry dock needed.
6. The carrier is damaged and out of action but repaired by ships crew and returned to action after a brief overhaul period.

You hope for 1.

Possibility 2. is not likely as Cv's are almost impossible to sink outright.

Possibility 3 is the same as 2 but crew can survive and at least can hang on until captured or rescued.

Possibility 4 is a likely scenario if all the damage is above the waterline i.e. multiple missile hits. Fire is a problem and must be contained or put out before towing can begin. Huge target for enemy subs. A sub magnet which can actually be good thing if done right. ASW trap can be set up.

Scenario 5 is the most likely scenario in a missile attack. Although out of service that CV will make it back and fight another day.

Scenario 6 would be if only one missile made it through and hit the CV. She will be back in a short period of time depending on the motivation and stamina of the ships crew.

So there are a lot of scenarios in a hot war so it isn't that simple.

[Psalm 144]

Thanks for that. I did not know that modern carriers were so tough to kill. I think I was subconsciously and wrongly conflating Battle of Midway fragility with modern weaponry.