The Ambitious Concept of Airborne Aircraft Carriers

The idea of airborne aircraft carriers emerged in the early 20th century as the U.S. Navy sought advances in military technology. This led to the construction of the USS Akron, built in collaboration with the Luftschiffbau Zeppelin company and Goodyear Tire and Rubber Corporation. The Akron was designed to hold several biplanes, called F9C Sparrowhawks, which could be deployed while the airship floated in the sky. This innovative design aimed to overcome the limitations of traditional aircraft carriers by enabling aerial operations without being tied to coastal waters.