Big Missiles and Big Decks: The Viability of Aircraft Carriers in an A2/AD World

Abstract

This thesis analyzes the implications of modern anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) capabilities on the use of aircraft carriers in executing U.S. maritime strategy. The objective is to determine if there are historical lessons from previous U.S. experiences with A2/AD capabilities that bear relevance on the current debate. Additionally, it analyzes several proposed alternatives to the aircraft carrier. It argues that there are several relevant lessons from previous A2/AD challenges with aircraft carriers and the United States ability to conduct sea control and power projection, and that none of the aircraft carrier alternatives can sufficiently provide the necessary capabilities across a range of military operations. It concludes that incorporating innovative employment of carrier strike groups in an A2/AD environment, while also pursuing advancements in the air wings operating range, provides a viable solution to redressing theA2/AD threat.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2016
Accession Number
AD1026158

Entities

People

  • Robert Jr A. Coffman

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerial Warfare
  • Air Power
  • Aircraft Carriers
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Carrier Based Aircraft
  • Fighter Aircraft
  • Geography
  • Information Operations
  • Marine Transportation
  • Military Organizations
  • National Security
  • Naval Aviation
  • Naval Operations
  • Naval Warfare
  • Navy
  • Second World War

Readers

  • Aerospace logistics and air mobility.
  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Strategic Security Studies