Everything Everywhere Daily Aircraft Carriers (Encore)
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May 17, 2025 Discover the fascinating history behind aircraft carriers, starting from their humble beginnings before airplanes existed. Explore their evolution through the 20th century, highlighting innovations that transformed naval warfare. Delve into the complexity of modern aircraft carriers and their operational prowess, illustrated through personal accounts. Finally, engage in the debate over their future relevance in a changing military landscape, raising questions about dominance versus vulnerability in today’s warfare.
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Evolution of Aircraft Carriers
- Aircraft carriers evolved from 19th-century balloon carriers to seaplane tenders before becoming true fixed-wing aircraft carriers in the early 20th century.
- The first ship with a full-length flat deck was launched in 1918, marking a pivotal step toward modern carriers.
Carriers Overthrow Battleships
- World War II established aircraft carriers as the dominant naval warship, surpassing battleships in range and power.
- Carriers required protective escort groups composed of cruisers and destroyers to compensate for their individual vulnerability.
Jet Age Transforms Carriers
- The rise of powerful jet aircraft necessitated design innovations like angled decks and steam catapults on supercarriers.
- These changes increased carrier size by 25% to accommodate jet launch and recovery needs.