Carrier limits force choices between hull numbers and capability

Growing reliance on carrier aviation accompanies the move from grand-fleet operations toward task groups. Effective carriers need air groups, maintenance facilities, spares and enough protection to survive repeated operations. Losing a carrier quickly undermines a fleet that depends on its aircraft. A 27,000-ton ship could resemble Implacable, combining Illustrious-like protection with an Ark Royal-sized air group or better. A force of only five such ships would be insufficient for British sea communications and fleet support, with a similar numerical difficulty for the United States. Fitting more hulls within an aggregate tonnage allowance requires smaller carriers, forcing compromises between air-group size and protection. The resulting pressure helps explain attempts to compress useful carriers into about 10,000 tons.