In Search of a Good Host: A Study of Airborne Aircraft-Carriers
Abstract
As technological advances appear to indicate a possibility of the US Air Force returning to utilize airborne aircraft-carriers, I look to the past. In the last 100 years, the US military has attempted to create multiple flying aircraft-carriers, yet none of them operate today. This study examines what happened in some of those trials, where they succeeded and failed, and derives recurring themes from the attempts as potential guidelines for future carrier efforts. To accomplish this, I first suggest a break from using the airborne aircraft-carrier term and instead to use Airborne Vehicular-Launch-Platform (AVLP). I then examine three cases in depth. They include the US Navy's rigid airship program and two from the US Air Force: the Fighter Conveyance program and the Lightning Bugs unmanned aircraft. From my analysis, I provide technological, logistical, operational, and administrative findings.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1112586
Entities
People
- Nathan E. Padgett
Organizations
- Air University