Sizing Up America’s Aircraft Carriers of the Future

Editor’s Note: For this year’s Memorial Day feature, The Cipher Brief revisits its coverage examining the future of U.S. aircraft carriers. America’s largest warships have grown in size and cost, but also capability over the decades, and the new Ford-class promises to raise the bar on all three of those counts. However, many wonder if the U.S. will need this added capability in an uncertain fiscal future and argue that the Navy should pursue smaller carriers. As we remember what makes America great, we examine one of its greatest assets.

After weeks of uncertainty regarding its mission, the American aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson finally arrived in waters off the Korean Peninsula and began joint military exercises with Japan [on April 23]. In response, a state-run North Korean news agency promised to attack the ship if provoked, saying, “The world would clearly see how the US’ rash, arrogant aircraft carriers turn into a lump of scrap metal and gets buried at sea, and how the country vanishes from the Earth.” As one of America’s most potent symbols of power and global reach, aircraft carriers can display resolve to its allies and instill dread in its enemies, but some wonder whether its days of superiority are numbered.