A bit selective there WEBF.
Originally Posted by
WE Branch Fanatic
5) Aircraft carriers are by no means 'self contained'
Do they? Are the frigates, submarines and RFA attached to the carrier? Do they have no roles except supporting a carrier? The level of escort a carrier has depends on the threat. Funnily enough ships get sent to trouble spots even if there is no carrier there.
I think most of us have been argung indeed that enough ships can be sent to trouble spots rather than carriers.
I would be so bold as to say that no carrier can operate without escorts. A carrier operating aircraft has limited freedom of movement. It would need at least one escort to keep her company. It is true that a helo can do some of the jobs of an escort but a boarding party is best served by an escort - picking up several pirates for instance. Immediately you need to add an RFA to the mix. If the carrier is engaged in hot operations you probably need to add logisitics support. If you then take one escort out of the equation, you need a spare.
Submarines can operate with a carrier, or they can act independently. Since you need naval forces you need RFAs.
Yes.
In coastal or near coastal waters against an SSC the SSN DS is probably essential. Without a CVF however you would not need the SSN there.