Only three years separated the cancellation of USS United States from the start of the Forrestal programme. USS United States was meant to carry the heaviest strike aircraft, allowing the Midway class to focus on fighters and fleet air defence. The Midways were very wet forward, and their stability worsened as modifications accumulated. Building a separate strike carrier would have preserved that division of labour. The Navy instead chose a new class that combined strike, reconnaissance, fighter, and air-defence missions in one hull.
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From USS United States to an all-role supercarrier
The cancellation of USS United States and the decision to build Forrestal sit only a few years apart. Midway-class limits explain why the Navy wanted one carrier able to handle every major aviation role.