Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 4:43:42-4:44:32

Why wartime carrier expansion must begin before the war

In a war lasting two or three years, accelerating ships already under construction offers a better prospect of reinforcement than starting additional Wasp-type ships after hostilities begin.

Amphibious Assault ShipsIndustrial MobilisationShipbuildingUS NavyWasp Class Amphibious Assault Ships
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Question

How quickly could the US Navy build many more Wasp-class variants in a major war?

Short answer

Not quickly enough unless construction had already begun; new major ships started after war broke out would probably miss a short conflict.

Notes

Additional Wasp-type ships would be unlikely to arrive quickly enough if construction began only after a major war started. The assessment assumes a conflict lasting roughly two or three years. Ships whose steel had already been cut could be rushed into service sooner than their predecessors. Ships still awaiting the start of construction would take much longer, making the existing building program the immediate source of reinforcements.