Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 31:36-31:54

A carrier should keep launching aircraft even as a gun duel closes

Aircraft remain the carrier's best means of disrupting an approaching enemy, so abandoning launch operations concedes its main advantage.

Aircraft CarriersCarrier OperationsFleet TacticsNaval AviationSurface Warfare
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Question

When should a carrier stop trying to launch aircraft, turn around, and accept that the action will become a gun duel?

Short answer

Never voluntarily; aircraft are the carrier's main tool for keeping the enemy busy and should be launched for as long as possible.

Notes

A carrier should keep launching aircraft for as long as possible when a surface gun duel threatens. Aircraft are its principal means of keeping the enemy occupied and inflicting damage before the range closes. Continuing to launch preserves the ship's asymmetric advantage for as long as possible. Turning to guns alone would surrender the capability that defines the carrier.