[CCIP]

As I keep saying, I think the age of the aircraft carrier is passing or (arguably) has already passed at the turn of the century. The technological, operational, and most importantly economical tides have already turned, and this is all just additional evidence for that. Even the working catapult/arrestor systems and the best possible aircraft wouldn't really make a big difference. Now it's not like carriers are suddenly dead and buried - they're still the most powerful ship on the seas, but we're certainly well past the point of diminishing returns for what's a needlessly expensive weapons system for today's world.

On the other hand, we're also at a point where UAV technology is heading in the direction where every ship will soon be a pretty effective aircraft carrier.