Future Carrier (Including Costs)

[Modern Elmo]

From the current issue of Air Force magazine. Aircraft carriers? Who needs 'em?, at least in AF Mag.

November 2010

Airpower Over Water

By Rebecca Grant

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For its part, the US is fully engaged with Air Force and Navy teams working all aspects of the new AirSea Battle concept of operations. Fulfilling the maritime control mission has led to a bumper crop of new overwater surveillance aircraft, most operated by the US Navy. The Navy P-8 Poseidon, currently in flight test, will replace its P-3 Orion patrol airplanes. Global Hawk unmanned high-altitude aircraft with sensors modified for overwater operations will join the fleet for the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance mission, also known as BAMS. Smaller UAVs such as ScanEagle already supplement maritime surveillance.


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The Coast Guard uses HC-130Js like the one flying below the HC-130 for maritime domain awareness. (USCG photo by Dave Silva)

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Bombers are now continuously forward deployed to Guam to deter potential adversaries and reassure allies. "B-52s, B-1s, and B-2s have each taken turns as a continuous sentinel for the Pacific Theater," said Col. Charles Patnaude, as bombers from 5th Bomb Wing, Minot AFB, N.D., were preparing to deploy in summer 2010.

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The big picture in the Pacific centers on China’s 260-ship Navy, which includes 75 warships and about 60 submarines. "China has invested decades in a patient and aggressive campaign to slowly push other countries out of the East China Sea and South China Sea," said James Kraska in The Diplomat in spring 2010. Confrontations at sea over rocky islands and reefs have been occurring since the 1970s, and there are many recorded incidents of Chinese ships harassing US and allied vessels.

Finding, tracking, and attacking ships remains a key deterrent ability. For its part, the US Air Force will be providing the long-range surveillance and striking power over water for the foreseeable future.

Airpower Over Water