A former Navy captain just identified the biggest flaw in the US carrier strategy

[speed150mph]

Yes aircraft carriers are big and expensive to build, operate, and maintain, but seriously they are still one of the most versatile and effective weapons platform in a modern navy. It also pretty much the only true platform that has really proven itself since ww2, where they dominated in an era formerly ruled by the battleship.


Nuclear submarines, both ballistic and attack, have never been used in their intended role. Lets face it, ballistic missile subs have never been used besides their scheduled readiness tests, the advanced attack subs that are supposed to be used to kills other subs have only seen use as cruise missile launchers or taxi's for special forces.


To my knowledge, besides war games and shore operations, the surface fleets only naval combat has been interdiction of weapons smugglers and anti-piracy operations. Until you get to the carriers...


The U.S navy's Carriers are their go to weapon when a crisis arises, what ever the nature. They are the mobile base of operations for any operation, anywhere. Force projection at its finest. Think about how Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm or any other foreign war would have gone if the United States would not have had the carriers.


The point is, the role for a carrier hasn't changed, and the need for it hasn't been eliminated. You look at the number one fear of any country that faces war with the United States, it is the carrier. And to my best knowledge, only Russia and China have any meaningful defense. it is the ultimate weapon, always has been, and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future.