The Future of Aircraft Carriers: Costly, Enormous, and Formidable
The significance of aircraft carriers in military history cannot be emphasized enough.
In this provided image by the U.S. Navy, we witness the future USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) as it embarks on its maiden voyage under its own power on April 8, 2017, in Newport News, Virginia. This first-of-its-class vessel, representing the inaugural U.S. aircraft carrier design in 40 years, embarked on several days of builder’s sea trials, serving as a comprehensive assessment of numerous critical systems and technologies aboard the ship.
Aircraft carriers played a pivotal role in securing victory for the United States in crucial naval engagements during World War II, particularly in the Pacific Theater. In the post-World War II era, these carriers bestowed upon the United States the capability to extend its military influence worldwide. Nonetheless, advancements in naval warfare pose a potential challenge to the enduring prominence of aircraft carriers.
David Larter, a naval warfare correspondent for Defense News, succinctly notes, “If you want to operate aircraft carriers, you need a whole lot of high-end technology to be able to defend it.” The proliferation of anti-ship cruise missiles, deployable from both land-based platforms and bomber or fighter aircraft, represents a formidable threat.
The cost associated with aircraft carriers is exorbitant, and their vulnerability to substantially cheaper anti-ship missiles is a scenario fraught with dire consequences. The latest addition to the Navy’s fleet, belonging to the Ford class, comes with a staggering price tag of $12.8 billion per vessel, excluding expenses related to the aircraft they accommodate, the integration of cutting-edge technologies, and the operation of these carriers on the open seas for extended periods.
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