A carrier's central task is to launch and recover aircraft, and debris from missile launches can obstruct its flight deck. The proposed alternative places long-range missiles on escorts with strategic-length vertical-launch systems, such as Mark 41. Those ships can fire away from the carrier so launch debris does not interrupt its flying operations. Reduced escort strength is raised as a possible explanation for moving missiles onto the carrier deck, with concern that this would compromise the aviation capability the carrier exists to provide.
Notable Point · 3:18:09-3:20:56
Why long-range missiles belong on escorts, not the carrier deck
The 2025 proposal for missiles fired from a carrier flight deck is criticized for obstructing aviation when escorts can carry safer, distributed vertical-launch cells.