Aircraft carriers: dimensions, types and modern naval power

Similar to cruise ships, aircraft carriers are among the most complex and largest ships travelling the world's oceans. They are floating airfields, accommodate several thousand people and form the centrepiece of modern aviation. maritime power projection. Aircraft carriers are at the centre of naval battle groups and provide reconnaissance, air superiority, protection from attack and precise strikes against targets hundreds of kilometres away.

Although Germany does not have its own aircraft carriers, it benefits indirectly from these large combat ships. The Bundeswehr regularly operates in multinational formations together with allied carriers, and German ships are an integral part of such battle groups. Aircraft carriers also play a role for German industry: German companies supply technologies, components and concepts that have been incorporated into carrier programmes in France, the UK and the USA. In principle, German shipyards are technically capable of building aircraft carriers - provided that the political and legal framework conditions allow this.

What types of aircraft carriers are there?

When aircraft carriers are mentioned, many people first think of the huge fleet carriers of the US Navy. However, these giants are only the tip of a wide range of types.

Baby carriers - small carriers for confined spaces

At the lower end of the scale are so-called Baby carrier. They are also known as sea control ships, submarine chase carriers or STOVL carriers. Their displacement starts at around 14,000 tonnes. They have no nuclear propulsion, which limits their range and speed.

The main task of these carriers is to control limited sea areas. To this end, they primarily deploy helicopters, supplemented by a few light aircraft. They are not designed for combat against large enemy surface combat groups, but for surveillance, security and anti-submarine defence.

A central field of application for baby carriers is the Submarine hunt. Their helicopters can monitor large sea areas and utilise modern sensor technology: dropable sonar buoys, lowerable diving sonars as well as magnetic and noise detection. If a submarine is located, the helicopter can bring in additional air or sea units. A so-called hunter and a killer often work together: While the hunter pursues the target, the killer attacks with torpedoes that independently detect and engage the submarine.

STOVL carrier: Aircraft on short decks

Many baby carriers and amphibious carriers rely on STOVL aircraft. STOVL stands for Short Take Off and Vertical Landing. These aircraft only require short take-off distances and can land vertically. Earlier representatives were the Harrier, today it is mainly the F-35B for use. Thanks to swivelling engine outlets, these aircraft generate propulsion and lift at the same time, which means that smaller ships can also serve as carriers - albeit with limitations in terms of range, payload and deployment time.

Typical STOVL carriers are the British Invincible class, the Italian carrier Cavour and the British Queen Elizabeth class with HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales. With around 80,000 tonnes displacement, these modern STOVL carriers are significantly larger than classic baby carriers, but still do without catapults.

Amphibious carriers - airfield and landing ship in one

A special form amphibious carriers represent. They combine a continuous flight deck with an internal dock. This dock can accommodate smaller landing craft that bring troops, vehicles and material ashore. Such ships are primarily used to land soldiers, but also perform tasks as helicopter carriers, STOVL attack platforms and submarine chase carriers. A well-known representative is the French Mistral class, which currently operates mainly helicopters, but is structurally designed as a light carrier.

STOBAR carrier - take-off via ramp, landing with safety ropes

Another category are STOBAR carrier (Short Take Off But Arrested Recovery). These ships do not use catapults - aircraft take off via a ramp in the bow area and land on an angled deck with the aid of arrestor cables. This type is not used by Western navies, but is widespread in Russia, China and India. STOBAR carriers represent a technical middle ground, but are limited in their operational flexibility.

Fleet carriers - the largest ships in the world's oceans

The most efficient carrier type is the Fleet carrier. These ships regularly exceed 80,000 tonnes, often even 100,000 tonnes displacement. They have nuclear propulsion, almost unlimited range, catapults (steam or electromagnetic), arrestor cables for landings and up to 100 aircraft and helicopters. The best-known examples are the carriers of the US Navy, such as the Ford and Nimitz class.

France also operates its own fleet carrier: the Charles de Gaulle. Despite a comparatively low displacement of around 42,000 tonnes it has nuclear propulsion, catapults and around 40 aircraft.

Conclusion: Floating masterpieces of engineering

Aircraft carriers are technical and organisational masterpieces. From compact baby carriers to amphibious platforms and huge fleet carriers, they cover a wide range of applications. They combine shipbuilding, aviation, electronics and logistics at the highest level and still characterise global naval power today.

You can read more about the companies that supply technologies and components for international shipbuilding in our article German shipyards at a glance.

Frequently asked questions about aircraft carriers