Light-carrier work and treaty carrier categories

The exchange begins with a proposal for numerous Hermes-like light carriers to handle patrol, anti-submarine, resupply, and cruiser-group work that otherwise consumed fleet carriers. Small decks with flexible aircraft could cover routine tasks and provide reconnaissance in places such as the Denmark Strait, preserving large carriers for major operations. Three Royal Navy roles emerge within Washington and London treaty tonnage: cruiser carriers, battle carriers, and strike carriers. The ideal fleet carrier had to keep up with the battle fleet, provide air support, and survive in a contested fleet action. Armor consumed tonnage that could otherwise enlarge the air group, while a large fleet carrier was too costly to build in the numbers needed for patrol and escort work. A separate light-carrier category would let smaller ships cover cruiser-like duties while retaining some ability to reinforce the fleet. The treaty thought experiment shows how legal tonnage categories could shape doctrine and fleet composition long before combat exposed the tradeoffs.