Q&A ยท 3:00:22-3:01:08

A modern carrier group against Bismarck

Modern sensors, aircraft, missiles, and submarines would give a Queen Elizabeth-class group a decisive edge over Bismarck.

Question

How would a modern Queen Elizabeth-class carrier group fare against Bismarck?

Short answer

Its much longer detection range and layered F-35, missile, and submarine weapons would give it a decisive advantage.

Notes

Far longer detection ranges than Second World War carrier forces possessed would let a modern group identify and attack Bismarck well before gun range. F-35s, ship-launched missiles, and an accompanying Astute-class submarine provide several independent attack paths. Modern guided bombs are not necessarily designed to penetrate battleship armour, so repeated hits may be needed to strip systems and open the hull to later weapons. Royal Navy submarines would use Spearfish rather than the US Mark 48, while helicopters could carry Sting Ray for lighter anti-submarine work. The carrier group's layered sensing and weapons network is the decisive advantage, rather than any single wonder weapon.