Is the USN defying the aircraft carrier’s obsolescence?
Aircraft carriers retain their relevance in the latest USN strategic thinking, despite arguments against their continued development
Central the USN’s force structure is its fleet of aircraft carriers, providing power projection into its main operational theatres and acting as 100,000t symbols of US maritime dominance. Even discounting the America- and Wasp-class amphibious assault ships, the US has more carrier decks than the all those in NATO, Russia and China combined.
However, with the new Gerald R. Ford class suffering with cost overruns and problems integrating and certifying the range of new technologies foisted upon it, the US appears to have taken another look at how best it can structure it flattop fleet to meet the rising
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 2 free stories per week
- Daily news round-up email service
- Access to all Decisive Edge email newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Pakistan Navy takes second OPV 2600 vessel from Damen]()
Pakistan Navy takes second OPV 2600 vessel from Damen
The PNS Yamama completes the class of maritime security vessels.
-
![Hanwha Ocean to build FFX Batch-IV frigates for South Korea]()
Hanwha Ocean to build FFX Batch-IV frigates for South Korea
Hanwha Ocean aims for consistency between Batch-III and Batch-IV, despite radical technological overhaul.
-
![Navantia signs deal to supply new Avante 2200 corvettes to Saudi Arabia]()
Navantia signs deal to supply new Avante 2200 corvettes to Saudi Arabia
The vessels are the latest additions to an ongoing supply arrangement for Saudi Arabia’s defence force.
-
![Naval Warfare Preview 2025: Billion-dollar programmes will advance but unpredictable forces muddy the waters]()
Naval Warfare Preview 2025: Billion-dollar programmes will advance but unpredictable forces muddy the waters
Large programmes around the world are likely to be immune to flux, but the impact of geopolitics could be unprecedented in 2025.
-
![Saab Sea Giraffe to protect Swedish Navy]()
Saab Sea Giraffe to protect Swedish Navy
The Swedish manufacturer will supply its Sea Giraffe 1X naval radar in a range of configurations.
