A battleship's combat value was tied closely to the weapons and protection built into its hull. A carrier supports naval aircraft whose weapons and capabilities can change during the ship's service life. Aircraft still need maintenance, weapons, fuel, and a place to recover, while their pilots need rest even when aerial refuelling extends their range. The carrier remains useful for as long as naval aviation needs that movable support base at sea.
Notable Point · 2:01:49-2:03:14
Why carriers endure when their aircraft change
A carrier's striking power can change with its aircraft while the ship continues to provide the mobile base those aircraft need.