Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:59:51-2:00:04

Where a surviving battleship would fit in a modern strike group

A hypothetical surviving battleship would normally join a carrier strike group, though it could detach for missions where its particular capabilities were useful.

BattleshipsCarrier Strike GroupsForce StructureTask Force Operations
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Question

If battleships still existed, would navies form separate strike groups around them?

Short answer

Probably not. They would normally operate as part of a carrier strike group, with occasional detached missions.

Notes

A hypothetical battleship belongs inside a combined fleet rather than at the center of a separate permanent formation. The carrier group would provide the broader air, sensor, and escort framework needed for operations. A battleship could still detach temporarily when its guns or resilience suited a particular task. Its value would depend on integration with the force around it.