Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:31:20-2:32:43

Sixth-generation aircraft do not set a 100,000-ton carrier minimum

Future aircraft and drones will vary widely, while loyal wingmen may reduce the need to send crewed aircraft into every threat area rather than forcing every carrier above 100,000 tons.

Aircraft CarriersCarrier AviationLoyal WingmanNaval ArchitectureSixth Generation AircraftUncrewed Aircraft
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Question

Will sixth-generation aircraft make a 100,000-ton carrier the minimum practical size?

Short answer

Not necessarily; future air wings will mix crewed aircraft and very different drones, and loyal wingmen may change missions without requiring every carrier to become a supercarrier.

Notes

Sixth-generation aviation does not necessarily make a 100,000-ton carrier the minimum useful size. A carrier's known dimensions allow designers to integrate power supplies and support arrangements from the beginning. Future drones range from cheap expendable craft to large, costly aircraft, so their effects on deck and hangar demand will vary. Crewed aircraft may also remain outside a threat area while loyal wingmen enter it. The future mix of aircraft roles and power requirements therefore matters alongside hull size.