In the Castle Federation setting, the interstellar drive dominates a ship's cost, encouraging the largest hull the drive can support. The resulting capital ships consume a significant share of a star system's economy yet remain vulnerable to antimatter weapons, so commanders prefer risking fighter groups before exposing the main ship. That premise produces eggshell fleets armed with hammers and makes carrier aviation economically meaningful. Fighter losses are painful, especially because suitable pilots are rare, but they are still far cheaper than losing an interstellar capital ship.
Chapter · 33:26-35:45
Capital-ship economics can make starfighters rational
Castle Federation justifies starfighters by making interstellar capital ships enormously expensive, scarce, and fragile compared with their carried craft.