What happens if five 1989 Nimitz-class carriers, their escorts and supply ships, and supplies for twenty-four months of maximum operations are sent to early World War II or the Vietnam War?
Short answerThey would be overwhelmingly decisive against early World War II conventional forces but would not solve Vietnam's political and guerrilla-war problems.
NotesThe scenario includes five Nimitz-class carriers as they existed in 1989, their escorts and supply ships, and enough crews and supplies for twenty-four months of maximum operations. Against early World War II's largely conventional forces, they are judged capable of rapidly defeating the German and Italian armed forces. Vietnam produces a different answer because additional fire support would have limited effect on guerrilla warfare. The result depends on the type of war as well as the size of the technological advantage.