Carrier battlestars replace fighter losses and jump clear

A specialist carrier battlestar would exchange offensive guns and missiles for much larger fighter bays, keeping only defensive armament. It would operate with a fleet because it would be poorly suited to independent combat. Once ordinary battlestars launched their Vipers, the carrier would release a second wave and jump away. The number of additional fighters would reflect expected losses, so the surviving aircraft could refill the battlestars' air groups. After the engagement, surplus fighters could return to the specialist carrier. HMS Unicorn provides the historical comparison for this more active form of aircraft replenishment.