What is the purpose of a light aircraft carrier?

A light carrier was similar in concept to an escort carrier in most respects, however light carriers were intended for higher speeds to be deployed alongside fleet carriers, while escort carriers usually defended convoys and provided air support during amphibious operations.

What is the largest carrier strike group?

Ronald Reagan and the ten surface combatant ships operate out of Yokosuka, Japan, while CVW 5 operates out of Iwakuni, Japan, when not embarked on Ronald Reagan. Together, these units form the U.S. Navy’s only continuously forward deployed (and largest) carrier strike group.

Are light carriers capital ships?

Only full-size fleet carriers (whether purpose built, or converted from battleship/battlecruiser hulls) were regarded as capital ships, while light carriers (often using cruiser hulls) nor escort carriers (often using merchant ship hulls) were not.

Could a Lightning carrier help the Navy?

“A Lightning carrier, taking full advantage of the amphibious assault ship as a sea base, can provide the naval and joint force with significant access, collection and strike capabilities.” And a light carrier could help the Navy shift to a more survivable fleet design.

How many F-35s can a Lightning carrier carry?

Other naval experts simply refer to the Harrier and Lightning carriers as “light carriers.” A Lightning carrier would embark between 16 and 20 F-35s, compared to the roughly 40 strike fighters that a supercarrier normally carries. A Lightning carrier should be able to sustain 40 sorties per day, the Marines estimated.

Could a Lightning carrier sortie with a supercarrier?

A Lightning carrier could benefit from such planes by sortieing alongside a supercarrier. In strategic sense, the Lightning carrier ability complicates an adversary’s ability to defend against a Marine force.

Will the Lightning carrier change the mission of the MEU?

TheARG/MEU’s mission, and 13 mission essential tasks (METs), will not change; however, a Lightning Carrier, taking full advantage of the amphibious assault ship as a sea base, can provide the naval and joint force with significant access, collection and strike capabilities.”