Air-group counts cannot be compared without considering aircraft size and the fixed space available in hangars and on flight decks. A modern carrier may appear lightly equipped by aircraft count even though each aircraft occupies far more space than its wartime predecessor. Altering that physical limit requires major work to the ship, regardless of doctrine. If a navy cannot build replacement carriers quickly, making each hull more survivable may become attractive again. This final aside connects the book review to current force-design debates about carrier size, embarked aircraft, and the cost of losing a capital ship.
Notable Point · 25:24-26:35
Modern carrier size, aircraft size, and survivability
The final aside brings the historical debate forward by noting that modern air groups look smaller partly because aircraft are larger and carrier replacement is harder.