Warship size follows the payload a ship must carry: larger missiles and larger magazines demand more hull volume. The same logic applies to aircraft carriers because naval aircraft themselves have grown. A single-role aircraft can be optimized around one task, while a multi-role design must perform several functions and becomes more complicated. That added complexity tends to enlarge the aircraft, which in turn increases the carrier space needed to operate and support it. Carrier size therefore reflects a force-design tradeoff between specialization and flexibility.
Notable Point · 2:16:12-2:17:09
Why multi-role aircraft make carriers grow
Warships grow to carry larger weapon loads, while carriers must expand as naval aircraft gain the size and complexity required for several missions.