Aircraft carriers, as a large surface ship with carrier-based aircraft as the main combat force, is the core strength of the modern navy and a symbol of the country's comprehensive strength. Countries with aircraft carriers can demonstrate their military deterrence and political influence in the sea far from their homeland, and can also carry out long-range strikes and interventions against the enemy if necessary. However, the aircraft carrier is not invincible, it also has its own weaknesses and limitations. In a number of military conflicts and crises in recent years, US aircraft carriers have not played the expected role, and have even been ridiculed and provoked by some countries.
Some even believe that the aircraft carrier is outdated, it is just an expensive floating target, which can be easily sunk in the event of a modern anti-ship missile or submarine. Is this view correct?How hard is it to sink an aircraft carrier?First of all, aircraft carriers have strong defense capabilities. The hull and deck are made of high-strength alloy steel, which is able to resist bombs and missiles, while the flight deck of the aircraft carrier has a special coating that can improve friction and prevent the aircraft from slipping sideways, while also withstanding high temperatures and washouts to prevent it from being burned out by the tail flame of the carrier-based aircraft.
In addition, the aircraft carrier is also equipped with multiple sets of short-range defense systems, such as artillery and missiles, as well as medium and long-range anti-aircraft missiles, which can deal with long-range air threats and even intercept ballistic missiles. Secondly, aircraft carriers usually do not act alone, but are dispatched as part of the fleet. These ships are equipped with advanced phased array radars and vertical launch systems, and are capable of carrying a large number of standard missiles, Tomahawk missiles, Harpoon missiles, etc., and have powerful strike capabilities on air, sea, and land. The addition of these escort forces has greatly increased the survivability of the aircraft carrier.
In addition, sinking an aircraft carrier is not an easy task. The size of the aircraft carrier is huge, and the difficulty of actually hitting the aircraft carrier is very high, and the aircraft carrier is usually equipped with anti-submarine patrol aircraft and has strong anti-submarine capabilities. All of this makes it extremely difficult to sink an aircraft carrier. In general, although aircraft carriers face various threats and challenges, they are still the hegemon of the sea and have strong deterrence and combat capabilities. In future wars, aircraft carriers will still play an important role and become an indispensable presence in the oceans.
The aircraft carrier battle group is the hegemon at sea, and its anti-submarine power is mainly derived from anti-submarine *** and attack nuclear submarines, which are equipped with advanced sonar and torpedoes, capable of effectively detecting and destroying enemy submarines and surface ships. The escort force of the aircraft carrier battle group can not only protect the aircraft carrier, but also provide fire support for the aircraft carrier, expanding the combat scope and effect of the aircraft carrier. In addition, the escort force can also form an effective cooperative combat system with the early warning aircraft and fighters on the aircraft carrier, share intelligence and targets, and achieve information and firepower superiority.
The carrier-based aircraft of an aircraft carrier are also an important combat force of the aircraft carrier, which can carry out such tasks as long-range strikes, air cover, reconnaissance and surveillance, and anti-submarine and anti-missile operations, thus posing tremendous threats and pressure to the enemy. The performance and number of carrier-based aircraft directly determine the combat effectiveness of aircraft carriers, so all countries are constantly developing and updating their carrier-based aircraft to adapt to the changing war environment and needs.
For example, U.S. aircraft carriers are equipped with the latest F-35C** fighter jets and F-18E F Super Hornet fighter-attack aircraft, which are capable of carrying a large number of air-to-air, air-to-surface, and air-to-sea missiles to carry out precision strikes. Moreover, the U.S. aircraft carrier is also equipped with the E-2D "Hawkeye" early warning aircraft, the EA-18G "Growler" electronic warfare aircraft, and the MH-60R "Sea Hawk" and MH-60S "Falcon"**, which perform different tasks and jointly provide strong support for the aircraft carrier.
The combat strategy of the aircraft carrier is also very crucial, it does not blindly charge into battle, but flexibly adjusts its position and actions according to different enemy situations and tasks. Normally, aircraft carriers will use their carrier-based aircraft and frigates to strike or interfere with enemy targets within a safe distance from the enemy, while avoiding direct enemy attacks. In addition, aircraft carriers will also use their high speed and maneuverability to change their course and speed at any time, making it more difficult for the enemy to detect and strike.
In general, the aircraft carrier battle group has a strong anti-submarine force, carrier-based aircraft support, and flexible combat strategy, which makes the aircraft carrier a hegemon at sea and plays a vital role in safeguarding the country's maritime rights and interests and ensuring the safety of sea lanes. Aircraft carriers, as the trump card of the modern Navy, have their own stealth technology and electronic warfare capabilities, capable of reducing the exposure of radar and communication signals, thereby reducing enemy perception and positioning accuracy.
It can also use its intelligence and command capabilities to form a joint combat network with friendly satellites, aircraft, ships, submarines, and so on, so as to achieve information sharing and coordinated operations, thereby improving battlefield situational awareness and combat efficiency. This makes sinking an aircraft carrier extremely difficult, costly and risky, and may even trigger a full-scale war. Aircraft carriers not only have their own defense capabilities, but also rely on powerful escort forces and carrier-based aircraft, as well as flexible combat strategies and tactics, to be able to cope with various threats and challenges, and maintain their own survival and combat capabilities.
Therefore, the call for the "sinking" of the aircraft carrier is actually an unrealistic fantasy and, even more so an irresponsible statement.