The Small Aircraft Carrier: A Re-Evaluation of the Sea Control Ship

The question of how to meet our military obligations at home and abroad is necessarily answered from many viewpoints tactical, technical, and financial. As the Navy faces serious cutbacks in its budget, the financial aspect increases in importance disaproportionately over the other factors. Nevertheless, in an attempt to maximize the dollar without sacrificing efficiency, a review of alternative systems is now needed. This study analyzes the low-end, low-technology, small aircraft carriers, called sea-control ships, as they have developed. Additionally, it considers the research currently available as well as the considered opinions of leading naval experts. Using an historical approach, the study reviews these ships as they came into existence at the beginning of this century and pays particular attention to the World War II era where they were used effectively to replace more costly ships. The study identifies situations where sea-control ships satisfactorily function and where they do not. It discusses modern technological developments which increase its potential, as part of a mixed force with the high-end, high-technology, large- deck carriers, and the future this type of ship may face. Keywords Sea control ships, Aircraft carriers, VSTOL, Harrier, Sea Harrier, Harrier II, International small aircraft carriers, small aircraft carriers.