Q&A ยท 3:25:27-3:26:34

Carrier development as a technology-doctrine-strategy cycle

British, American, and Japanese carrier development diverged as geography and strategy shaped technical priorities.

Question

What is a good naval example of technology informing doctrine, doctrine informing strategy, and strategy informing technology?

Short answer

Interwar carrier development, where each navy's geography and strategy drove different ships, aircraft, and operating methods.

Notes

Carrier development in the 1920s and 1930s provides the example of technology, doctrine, and strategy influencing one another. British, American, and Japanese programs diverged partly because their geographical and strategic situations differed. British carriers might have to keep fighting in the Far East with major repair support far back in Britain. In the Mediterranean they also faced the prospect of sustained land-based air attack. Those circumstances placed particular weight on keeping carriers operational, alongside the size of the aircraft group.