Fund the full force behind a carrier capability

A carrier outlives many of the aircraft and escorts with which it enters service. Planners must therefore make decisions for generations they cannot describe precisely and for threats they hope never appear. A peaceful future remains the hope, while prudent design prepares for a divided and dangerous one. Recent procurement is criticized for buying enough equipment to claim a capability exists without asking whether there is enough to meet national interests. That checkbox approach produces ships without adequate depth, replacements, or supporting forces. Long-term force design should start from the security environment that actually exists rather than the one officials would prefer.