An aircraft carrier is unusual among capital ships because its useful life is not tied to one fixed battery. Speed and endurance matter, but lift dimensions and weight limits determine which later aircraft can move between hangar and flight deck. If those margins remain generous, new aircraft or additional fuel can extend strike range without rebuilding the ship around a different weapon. Uncrewed aircraft are expected to grow larger just as crewed aircraft did, so they will still require substantial flight decks, lifts, stores, and maintenance. Carrier longevity therefore depends heavily on the ship's capacity to absorb changing aircraft.
Notable Point · 33:09-34:43
Speed, range, and lifts set a carrier's useful life
A carrier can outlive its first aircraft generation if its speed, range, and lift capacity remain sufficient for heavier replacements, including future uncrewed types.