Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:39:22-2:40:05

Converted drone carriers belong in a high-low mix

Merchant conversions can add affordable aviation capacity without replacing combat-built carriers.

Civilian-to-Military Ship ConversionsDamage ControlDrone CarriersHigh Low Mix
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Question

What role should merchant-ship conversions used as drone carriers play?

Short answer

They can provide useful deck space as the low end of a mixed fleet, but accept weaker damage control and greater operational risk than purpose-built warships.

Notes

HMS Argus provides the historical example of converting a liner into an aviation ship. A converted drone carrier is considered useful for adding deck space at the lower end of a mixed fleet. Its damage-control capability would probably be weaker than that of a purpose-built warship. The assessment accepts that risk as something to weigh for the intended operation.