Arsenal Birds replace the world's aircraft carriers

How would modern naval combat change if every aircraft carrier in 2022 were replaced by an Arsenal Bird from Ace Combat 7, with only BAE Systems able to build its drone fighters?

Under the revised Justice and energy-shield assumptions, the flying carriers would dominate regional airspace. The participants begin to dispute how many platforms would still be needed.

The scenario replaces aircraft carriers in 2022 with Ace Combat 7 Arsenal Birds and grants BAE Systems the ability to make their drone fighters. The initial definition includes Japanese helicopter destroyers and Kuznetsov, and the equipment discussion identifies MQ-101 drones while correcting an MQ-99 recollection. The drones are credited with extraordinary maneuverability, but their demonstrated missile fit is described as air-to-air, creating an initial question about anti-ship and ground-attack capability. The chosen carrier changes from Liberty to Justice, adding the powerful beam laser alongside the assumed energy shield. Those assumptions lead to claims that existing defenses would be ineffective against the platform. Nuclear power is also adopted as an endurance assumption, although its effect on the number of platforms required is disputed.