Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 36:35-37:46

Carrier size follows the air group

An effective CATOBAR carrier is estimated at about Queen Elizabeth-class size because the aircraft and required air group determine the hull.

Aircraft CarriersCarrier Air GroupsNaval AviationShip Design
Watch at this timeFull video guide
Question

What displacement and air-group size would an effective CATOBAR light carrier need?

Short answer

Roughly Queen Elizabeth-class displacement and a similar air group are suggested, because aircraft size and the required number drive the carrier's dimensions.

Notes

An effective CATOBAR carrier is estimated at roughly Queen Elizabeth-class displacement, with a similar air-group size. Aircraft dimensions and the number to be carried determine how much hangar space the ship needs. Queen Elizabeth or Gerald R. Ford could accommodate far more aircraft of Second World War dimensions than modern aircraft. Raw aircraft counts therefore need to be considered alongside the size of the aircraft to be operated.