Q&A ยท 32:45-33:48

Why some airpower advocates dislike aircraft carriers

Carrier aviation challenges theories that treat airpower as independent of basing, geography, and cooperation with naval forces.

Question

Why do some airpower advocates dislike aircraft carriers?

Short answer

Carriers expose airpower's dependence on basing and joint operations while forcing aircraft to accept shipboard constraints.

Notes

Carrier aviation makes airpower's dependence on geography and basing impossible to ignore. A ship imposes constraints on aircraft size, landing, and performance, but it also puts aircraft where a land base cannot. The panel criticizes schools of thought that prize glamorous bomber or fighter characteristics in isolation. Aircraft, ships, and other arms matter most when they work together to create several simultaneous dilemmas for an opponent.