Advocates of aircraft carriers really need to distinguish between that at which carriers excel and that which will sink them.
This is half right about America's super carriers:
Aircraft carriers have hung on at the top of multi-domain warfare for more than 80 years, and a new weapon hasn’t even been conceived of yet that could replace it.
Ah, a long tradition of existence! Well let's move on then, shall we?
No, damn it. Once more into the breach, dear readers.
Carriers have two roles: power projection and sea control. The large aircraft carrier is superb for the former. Not so much for the latter in the face of networked missile and surveillance networks--which I think can replace the carrier for sea control missions.
Do carriers send the message to enemies of "don't mess with us"?
The Navy sent that message on Friday by releasing pictures of USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower operating in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.
The problem is that by sending the message with carriers the enemy is given an opportunity to strike them. Are you sure an enemy will get the right message when our multiple acres of "sovereign American territory" show up off their coast?
Even if a message is sent as we intend, Eisenhower and her escorts immediately headed for CENTCOM after the photo. But hey, imagery is how we usually send the message in the Mediterranean.
I don't argue that we don't need super carriers. I argue we don't need nearly as many as we have. And should use the money saved for other sea control systems.
UPDATE: Oh?
The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (IKECSG) completed a scheduled transit through the Strait of Hormuz into the Arabian Gulf, Nov. 26.
What was the carrier doing inside the Persian Gulf? That's either stupid or a sign we're pretty damned sure Iran won't attack. At least we didn't stay long.
UPDATE: Exactly:
Destroyers armed with Tomahawks, for instance, can also strike from hundreds of miles away from the Persian Gulf. Therefore, while the Persian Gulf’s Strait of Hormuz enhances and does not limit offensive strike capability for US warships, it does raise questions about ship-defenses and potential vulnerability to Iranian mines, shore-launched missiles and small boat attacks.
IKECSG entered the Persian Gulf to send a message to our allies and to Iran. Don't assume enemies don't welcome an opportunity to send a message.
NOTE: TDR Winter War of 2022 coverage continues here.
NOTE: I'm adding updates on the Last Hamas War in this post.
