Why do nations build supercarriers?

Question

This question applies US, France, China, India, Britain, Russia, and every other country that has carriers and focuses on carrier battle groups. With the advent of long range missiles, a carrier carrying supples, ammunition, people, and planes can be sunk really easily. That would be a huge waste of time, manpower, and resources. If i was the guy in charge of the navy, i would focus more on smaller carriers(to minimize risk maybe, spread things out, though more costly, if a war happens, i would be less likely to lose it all in a single hit) and surface vessles like destroyers and smaller, and of course submarines, which can be difficult to detect AND launch cruise missiles. I understand the need for a base of operations for fighters, im just concerned about the risk in focusing on super carriers and carrier battle groups, with stealth and missiles and all(a frigate could steam close enuf to fire a missile, and if the CIWS fail to intercept it, its bye bye carrier).

Answer 1

A carrier battle group is a major force projection tool. The US retains a true blue water navy. The use of a carrier prevents the expense and danger of having lots of overseas airfields. When a US carrier group is in the Gulf it is the most powerful force in the region. It is a multi-role tool that can do anything from staging humanitarian aid to delivering a major crippling strike. It is feared by any navel stagiest in the world.

Answer 2

You don't know much about weaponry do you?

There is no missile on earth that will sink a super carrier. As soon as one is developed that could, there will be a countermeasure in place to prevent it. People just don't understand the technology gap in weaponry. There are so many weapons that America has developed to face any contingency, it is freaky. Nobody else in the world is even close.

CIWS is a last resort, and it's a good one. Stealth doesn't work against the US fleet. There are no enemy submarines that can get through the net. There is nothing that will get close enough to a carrier to cause a threat.

Lost many carriers lately? I didn't think so.

Answer 3

Lets simplify this. Only the U.S. has ever built super carriers. The Soviet Union thought about it but never got around to it. Great Britain has sky jump carriers. But They and France are building 3, 50,000 ton carriers still 40,000 tons less than ours. France had a small carrier wing. China has never gotten into carriers until lately when they bought an old Soviet built carrier that was never finished for testing. Since the late 50's only the U.S. has had coherent carrier battle groups. Occasionally the British join one of those groups.

Answer 4

Never been military I see. A carrier is a very difficult target to sink. That is why there is a battle group. Submarines, sub hunting destroyers, anit-missle frigates. It is a very difficult proposition to get within striking range of a carrier. For all their extended supply lines, the Brits were able to protect their carrier from exocet missles and submarine warfare during the Falklands war. The purpose of a carrier group is to project air power anywhere needed. In days gone by it was the battleships that were able to project that kind of power--but teddy roosevelts, walk softly but carry a big stick--still stands.

Answer 5

Only the US builds super carriers. Only we have the money, technology and planes to make one possible. Russia and China both wish they had them. Russia tried to build one towards the end of the Cod War but it ended up sitting in 2 halves in a ship yard. I understand that they finally scraped it for the steel. They never even had a jet built to fly off it using catapults and catch wires.

The US is unique. We have built our carriers on 80 years of experience. A lot of sweat, blood and cat shots and catches have gone into today's design. Too many aircraft and pilots over the sides to count. Too many aircraft designs and modifications to list in a 20 vol set of encyclopedia. You just can't decide to build a carrier with all the aircraft to go with it.

Answer 6

Well there is not much point if you are going to ask a question, then provide the answers as well!

While some of the nations you name have aircraft carriers, I believe only the USA falls into the supercarrier class designation.

National pride seems to indicate bigger is better but that has not always proved to be the case.

Answer 7

Mobile floating airfields. Protected by a highly efficient and manoeuvrable task force. It would take a major weapon (not yet identified or known to naval intelligence) to destroy a super-carrier in its entirety with a bomb hit.

However, repeated Ariel-attacks are another matter and as adequately demonstrated in WW11, ultimately, they would succeed in time honoured fashion. No ship, whatever its design or structure could withstand repeated bombings hits over prolonged periods.

The US Japanese Pacific Conflict of WW11 comprising the first and only carrier fleet actions of opposing carriers are stark evidence to the loss of carriers on both sides.

Answer 8

only the US has "supercarriers"

a handful of other countries have smaller helicopter or harrier "jump jet" type carriers, but none of them equal the american navy supercarriers.

its all about projection of force into a hostile environment without needing the permission of other nations in the local area.

even longtime ally turkey refused any overflights during the bush invasion and occupation of iraq.

so the US cannot count on even the truest of allies all the time.

Answer 9

FORCE PROJECTION
YOU PARK A CARRIER OF THE COAST OF ANY COUNTRY.AND IF THEY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF WHO IS IN CHARGE.THE ANSWER WILL BE BROUGHT TO BEAR. THESE ARE THE MOST AWESOMELY ARMED WEAPONS OF WAR ON THE EARTH.AN AIR GROUP ON A CARRIER CAN COMPLETELY DECIMATE COUNTRY IF CALLED ON TO DO SO.OR THE CARRIERS SHIP GROUP CAN CUT OFF ALL SEA BORN AID AS DONE DURING THE CUBAN CRISIS.CARRIERS NEVER TRAVEL ALONE,BUT IN BATTLE GROUPS.SHE IS PROTECTED WELL BY ANTI SUB,ANTI AIR UNITES AND DESTROYERS AND FRIGATES

Answer 10

persist with the money!!! best GDP is the U. S. at 17 trillion a year after that China at 9 tril Russia is at 2 tril. Financially those international locations in simple terms can no longer pay to salary conflict on the dimensions the U. S. can. for the era of historic previous the richest u . s . has continually been the main effectual, the undertaking is each and every u . s . who has held the mantle of #a million fell different than for interior of in particular financially which subsequently took them from the suited spot. Rome is a high-quality occasion, regrettably the U. S. is interior the early tiers of heading down that highway. If it would not opposite direction with each and all of the debt and over promising to its electorate in simple terms using fact the Romans did it is going to finally lose the suited spot. historic previous repeats itself.