America’s reliance on its fleet of aircraft carriers, a centerpiece of its naval warfare strategy since World War II, has come under scrutiny amid growing threats from hypersonic weapons and anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) systems developed by rival powers.
As the world’s geopolitical landscape shifts, the U.S. Navy faces the pressing need to reassess and adapt its strategies to the rising capabilities of Russia and other potential adversaries.
For decades, the U.S. has projected power across the globe with its 11 nuclear-powered supercarriers.
These massive ships, with their ability to launch and recover aircraft, deliver firepower and maintain a formidable presence, have been an emblem of American dominance at sea.
However, the evolving battlefield of the 21st century has cast a shadow over the carrier’s future effectiveness and survivability.
“The way that it procures weapons and equipment and plans for wars is simply outmoded,” warns one assessment.
With growing calls for strategic change, the U.S. must confront the harsh reality: its adversaries are no longer just observing but actively seeking to undermine its strengths with cheaper, efficient countermeasures.
Despite the alarming predictions, the Navy is not without recourse.
A potential solution lies in combined operations and new technologies such as rolling air defense missiles and directed energy weapons.
Moreover, the adoption of drones, like the MQ-25 Stingray, aims to extend the operational reach of existing carrier-based aircraft.
The Navy’s consideration of light carriers also signals a willingness to diversify and distribute capabilities.
Light carriers could offer a more survivable, cost-effective option for specific scenarios, particularly if the future of warfare leans towards unmanned vertical-takeoff vehicles.
But even as the Navy explores new paths, the stark reality remains: “The US Navy is being too predictable,” and predictability can be fatal in modern warfare.
The deployment of supercarriers is expected, and “the one thing a military does not want to be in any conflict is predictable,” especially against rivals with targeted arsenals to neutralize expected responses.
The U.S. Navy’s formidable fleet of Nimitz and Ford-class carriers, symbols of seafaring strength, now finds itself at a crossroads. Acknowledging this, the Navy has initiated studies on light carrier designs and capabilities, weighing operational utility against cost and considering the evolving makeup of the carrier air wing.