Why carrier capability evolves through the air group

Have aircraft carriers been a one-horse race since the 1950s?

The hull can appear to change slowly while the air group changes much faster. Ship and aircraft must develop together, including the electronics and facilities needed to operate new aircraft.

An aircraft carrier's threat depends heavily on the air group it can operate. The hull can therefore seem to evolve slowly while the aircraft change much faster. Ship and air group must work together as one system. Electronics and the ship's ability to operate its aircraft require continued development even when its outward form changes little.