Why are Aircraft Carriers Needed for a Country to project it's Naval Power?

 

We all are aware of the term, "aircraft carrier". In basic terms, they are just an airfield, floating at the ocean, on which, airplanes can take-off and land. Unlike other naval vessels, these carriers are vital for a country's navy, to showcase its dominance over airspace at the sea. But, did you know that, the first true aircraft carrier, with a deck, capable of launching and landing airplanes, was built by the British Navy?

In this article, we shall learn about the history, and the significance of an aircraft carrier, for a country's navy. 

The History of the Aircraft Carriers.

During World War I, the British Navy developed the first true carrier with a flight deck, the HMS Argus. It was built on a converted merchant-ship hull. The war ended before the Argus could be put into action, but the U.S. and Japanese navies quickly followed the British example. The first U.S. carrier, a converted collier renamed, the USS Langley, joined the fleet in March 1922. A Japanese carrier, the Hosho, which entered service in December 1922, was the world's first commissioned ship, that was built as an aircraft carrier, unlike the previously mentioned modified carriers. Aircraft carriers became the dominant combat vessel, after demonstrating their potential in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour, on December 7, 1941.

They also played a leading role, in the battles of Midway Island, Coral Sea, and Leyte Gulf. The aforementioned aircraft carriers used steam turbines for propulsion, and the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier was the Enterprise, launched by the United States, on September 24, 1960. 

Why are Aircraft Carriers Needed?

An aircraft carrier is needed to project domination, and adds to the military power of a country. All the world's powerful countries, the United Kingdom, The United States, Russia and China, operate aircraft carriers. Aircraft carriers provide a major advantage in terms of air support. Aircraft carriers can easily launch and recover aircraft at sea, allowing them to provide air support anywhere in the world. This is invaluable for both offensive and defensive operations. Besides, the aircraft carried by these carriers, can be launched very close to the shores of an adversary nation, and can plunder the assets. In times of hostilities, an aircraft carrier can bring hundreds of stranded soldiers. It can be of great help during disaster scenarios for humanitarian operations. Now, if we classify aircraft carriers based on their displacement, i.e., the weight of the carrier when it is loaded with fuel, weapons and other supplies, we arrive at four types. 

• Light aircraft carriers (displacement between 10,000 to 25,000 tons), 
• Medium aircraft carriers (displacement between 25,000 to 45,000 tons), 
• Heavy Aircraft carriers (displacement between 45,000 to 75,000 tons), and 
• Super Aircraft carriers, also called as Super Carriers, having a displacement between 75,000 to 1,00,000 tons. 

The HTMS Chakri Naruebet, belonging to the Royal Thai Navy of Thailand, is the world's lightest aircraft carrier, with a full load displacement of 11,486 tons, and the USS Gerald R. Ford, belonging to the United States Navy, is the heaviest aircraft carrier with a full load displacement of 1,00,000 tons. The construction of an aircraft carrier is a time-consuming process and requires a larger amount of investment in resources and expertise. Hence, these carriers do not sail alone. The carrier operates as a part of the carrier strike group, that usually include, Guided missile cruisers and destroyers, Attack submarines, Supply ships for food and fuel, and may also include other support vessels. 

How are fighter jets launched from these carriers?

Currently, STOBAR, and CATOBAR, are two different launch systems, used on aircraft carriers, to launch fighter jets. STOBAR, stands for, Short Take-off but Arrested Recovery. This launch system uses a short runway on the carrier's flight deck, and a ramp at the end, to provide additional lift to the aircraft during take-off. CATOBAR, stands for, Catapult Assisted Take-off Barrier Arrested Recovery. It uses a catapult to launch the fighter, providing a more powerful and controlled launch than the STOBAR system. Both the launch systems, use a set of arresting cables, to slow down the aircraft, when it lands on the flight deck. There are two main types of catapult systems used on aircraft carriers, steam catapults, and electromagnetic catapults. Steam catapults use steam pressure to power the launch, while electromagnetic catapults, use a linear induction motor, to accelerate the aircraft along a track.

Important points:

• The British Navy developed the first true carrier with a flight deck, the HMS Argus. It was built on a converted merchant-ship hull.

• The first U.S. carrier, a converted collier renamed, the USS Langley, joined the fleet in March 1922.

• A Japanese carrier, the Hosho, which entered service in December 1922, was the world's first commissioned ship, that was built as an aircraft carrier.

• The first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier was the Enterprise, launched by the United States, on September 24, 1960.

• Aircraft Carriers are classified based on their displacement as Light aircraft carriers, medium aircraft carriers, Heavy Aircraft carriers, and Super Aircraft carriers (Super Carriers).

• The HTMS Chakri Naruebet, belonging to the Royal Thai Navy of Thailand, is the world's lightest aircraft carrier, with a full load displacement of 11,486 tons. • The USS Gerald R. Ford, belonging to the United States Navy, is the heaviest aircraft carrier with a full load displacement of 1,00,000 tons.

• STOBAR, and CATOBAR, are two different launch systems, used on aircraft carriers, to launch fighter jets.

• Catapult systems used on aircraft carriers are Steam catapults, and electromagnetic catapults (EMALS).