A carrier can contribute several inner defensive layers without displacing its parasite craft as the principal offensive and defensive system. Galactica's guns handle threats that leak through or approach while its Vipers are committed elsewhere. An enemy feint could draw most of the fighter force in one direction, making those shipboard defenses essential until the outer layer can be redirected. Galactica's ability to operate successive Viper generations also highlights carrier future-proofing. Generous lift capacity, deck strength, rearrangeable workshops, and rearmament margins let the parent ship accept craft that were unknown when it was designed. Its hangars and logistics also make it better able to gather resources, resupply, and manufacture distant spare parts.
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Battlestars combine carrier primacy with layered defense
Galactica remains a carrier because Vipers are its most important combat layer, even though the ship carries substantial defensive guns of its own.