The proposed strike cruiser is meant to cover medium-threat presence missions and free scarce carrier groups for more dangerous theatres. Nuclear power and Aegis would let it operate autonomously and defend itself, but a single lightweight eight-inch gun offers little leverage against targets ashore. Designers therefore consider an angled flight deck and a small group of short-takeoff-and-landing aircraft. Aegis might substitute for some defensive fighters and airborne radar in a moderate threat environment. Combining those capabilities produces a vessel so expensive that it is built neither as a nuclear surface combatant nor as a small carrier.
Notable Point · 22:47-23:38
The nuclear strike cruiser becomes an unaffordable small carrier
Aegis and nuclear power promise autonomous presence, but meaningful offensive power requires aircraft that make the hybrid prohibitively expensive.