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Subject: Why can't an aircraft carrier have Aegis of its own?
Clouded Leopard    2/11/2013 12:20:15 PM
Why can't an aircraft carrier itself be fitted with the Aegis air defense system, and hundreds of SM-2 missiles? Wouldn't that help boost its defense, and maybe mean one fewer Aegis escort needed for its battle group? I understand that with the air traffic, it might be hazardous to friendly fighter jets, but then again, the same would apply for a nearby Aegis escort destroyer anyway, wouldn't it?
 
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Belisarius1234    Think about it.   2/11/2013 12:26:55 PM
A child could figure it out, but not a PRC agent.
 
B.
 
 
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Clouded Leopard       2/11/2013 1:27:06 PM


A child could figure it out, but not a PRC agent.

 

B.

 

There's no need to be condescending. Just say what you intend.
 
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WarNerd       2/12/2013 6:25:25 AM
Why can't an aircraft carrier itself be fitted with the Aegis air defense system, and hundreds of SM-2 missiles? Wouldn't that help boost its defense, and maybe mean one fewer Aegis escort needed for its battle group?
 
I understand that with the air traffic, it might be hazardous to friendly fighter jets, but then again, the same would apply for a nearby Aegis escort destroyer anyway, wouldn't it?
Problems that need to be addressed:
1. Limited deck space. Do you want to use it for aircraft operations or VLS cells?
 
2. Additional space is needed to provide minimum safe distance from aircraft, the elevators, and fuel and bomb handling areas. Look at all those movie clips of missile launches and note the common factor – There is no one on deck! Same applies when firing large artillery.
 
3. Depending on location the launchers will significantly impact the hanger space on the deck(s) below as well.
 
4. You have to radiate (have the radar turned on) which makes you obvious. One of the points of the escort ships is that they can operate far enough away to put the carrier’s location in doubt.
 
What you are trying to describe is an ‘aviation cruiser’, like the Kiev class, only with a much heavier missile armament. The Soviet’s gave up on the design, which is probably a good indicator of how well it worked.
 
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Reactive       2/12/2013 10:31:48 AM
Exactly ^^ 
 
There's benefits in using distributed escorts - carriers do carry a particularly effective CIWS system (seaRAM) that provides considerable coverage in the event that any missiles penetrate the screen. This same argument also applies to anti-submarine warfare. Best to keep all elements of the carrier group as specialists and locate them far enough away from the carrier that it is difficult to locate, let alone hit.
 
R 
 
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Reactive       2/12/2013 10:38:45 AM
I would also just add that having an enormous (~6MW) emitter like the AN/SPY-1 above the flight deck is going to be a real hazard for anyone and anything using it, let alone in terms of flight operations! 
 
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Belisarius1234    I did.   2/12/2013 11:02:47 AM
Not that you noticed.
 
B.


A child could figure it out, but not a PRC agent.


 


B.


 

There's no need to be condescending. Just say what you intend.
 
Quote    Reply



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