Lexington and Saratoga accounted for 66,000 tons of the American carrier allowance, while Langley and Ranger added about 25,300 tons. That left roughly 44,000 tons under the 135,000-ton limit before any retirement. The plan paired two approximately 20,000-ton ships with a 15,000-ton carrier, probably as Langley's replacement. Retiring Langley for the smaller carrier would have kept the plan close to the treaty limit. Treaty accounting shaped the size and construction sequence of the carrier force as well as each individual design.
Notable Point · 14:54-16:22
American treaty arithmetic plans the next carrier generation
The U.S. carrier allowance leaves room for two Yorktown-sized ships and a smaller replacement for Langley.