The US still needs aircraft carriers

[Peter1469]

The US still needs aircraft carriers

The naval warfare experts agree that the age of the aircraft carrier has not ended. It is certainly a most dangerous environment for carriers, but with lasers coming online for point defense, carriers will continue to rule the seas.

Many of the nation’s foremost sea power experts met on Friday to consider the role of aircraft carriers as guarantors of national security. It was my privilege to participate in the Lexington Institute’s inaugural Carrier Strike Group Forum held in Pentagon City.

I’m not a Pentagon guy or a Navy Yard guy. My job is on the waterfront, ensuring that our aircraft carriers, aircraft, and the men and women who operate them have the tools, training, and supplies they need to sail in support of national defense and maritime security.

My staff and I recognize every day the value of aircraft carriers and of the supporting ships, aircraft squadrons, and staffs that constitute America’s unique and globally respected carrier strike groups.

Read the rest at the link.

[Retirednsmilin308]

I served on two "bird farms" in my career.

I know in past wars and peace-time they were very much needed.

I can say nothing about future wars, but this...

At one time Naval experts thought battleships were the backbone of the fleet.
They were proven wrong.
Future wars will be very different from WW2. There is no comparison.

In a future MAJOR war, there will be no navigational, communications, or spy satellites. They will all be shot down by either side.
This is why the US Naval Academy has started teaching Celestial Navigation again. It was dumb to stop.
It will also mean using main transmitter high power radios again.
Anything satellite based has to be rethought.

This means carriers will come back into their own again, but will also need strong anti-submarine (ASW) defenses.
Fortunately, us and our allies are still number one in this field.

...but, like I said....only a major war will prove it.


Let's hope that never happens.
It would kill the global economy.

[Cletus]

A Carrier Task Force is the best tool there is for force projection.

[Retirednsmilin308]

A Carrier Task Force is the best tool there is for force projection.

Yup...I still remember the Arab women doing that little funny sound as we sailed down the Suez canal.
They were waving and making that little noise out of excitement.

We were heading south from the Med.
It was weird seeing Egypt all lush and fertile to starboard, and then to port was all barren and desert with a few blown up tanks here and there.
We even had vendors selling all kinds of souvenirs in the hanger deck.

There were also two huge monuments.
One to the Australians for stopping the Ottoman Turks WW1 and the other to Egyptian Marines for stopping the Israelis. Don't remember which war, though.

[gamewell45]

The US still needs aircraft carriers

The naval warfare experts agree that the age of the aircraft carrier has not ended. It is certainly a most dangerous environment for carriers, but with lasers coming online for point defense, carriers will continue to rule the seas.



Read the rest at the link.

Great article! Thanks for posting it.

[Lummy]

"Benjamin, my boy ..."
"Yes, Mister Robinson?"
"I have just one word for you but it lays bare all things that now are and that will ever be important in your future."
"What word is that, Mister Robinson?"
"Nukes."