What would an HMS Unicorn-style aviation support ship look like today?
Short answerAbout 30,000-40,000 tons is the estimate, with a large, adaptable maintenance hangar and substantial workshop power.
NotesAlex estimates that a modern aviation repair ship modelled on Unicorn would displace about 30,000-40,000 tons. Larger modern aircraft would require a correspondingly large hangar, with space that could adapt to maintenance work. Machinery for testing and fabrication would increase the demand for electrical power. The estimate describes a mobile aviation support concept, without specifying a detailed design or a strike air group.