Unescorted carriers are considered vulnerable to attack by other ships, aircraft, submarines or missiles and therefore travel as part of a carrier battle group. Due to the long range of the striking aircraft heavy armour was less of a requirement and because of this, for example during World War II, aircraft carriers were less expensive and time consuming to build than battleships. Thus, the aircraft carrier could perform the original mission of the battleship, causing heavy damage to an enemy fleet at great distance and with superior accuracy. However, an aircraft launched from a carrier could deliver " smart weapons" accurately at a range of over one hundred miles. Their maximum range was usually no more than thirty miles. A battleship could fire hundreds of large caliber shells at a target and score possibly a dozen hits. The change, part of the growth of air power as a significant part of warfare, took place during World War II. Modern navies that operate such ships treat aircraft carriers as the capital ship of the fleet, a role previously played by the battleship. Aircraft carriers thus allow a naval force to project air power great distances without having to depend on local bases for land-based aircraft. Four aircraft carriers, Principe-de-Asturias, USS Wasp, USS Forrestal and HMS Invincible (front-to-back), showing the difference in size between a supercarrier, light V/STOL carriers, and an amphibious carrier.Īn aircraft carrier is a warship designed to deploy and recover aircraft - in effect acting as a sea-going airbase.
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