The Abraham Lincoln battle group during the 2000 RIMPAC exercises

A carrier battle group (CVBG) consists of an aircraft carrier (CV) and its escorts. Download high resolution version (2030x1297, 1356 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Download high resolution version (2030x1297, 1356 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Four aircraft carriers, (bottom-to-top) Principe de Asturias, amphibious assault carrier USS Wasp, USS Forrestal and light V/STOL carrier HMS Invincible, showing size differences of late 20th century carriers An aircraft carrier is a warship designed to deploy and in most cases recover aircraft, acting as a sea...

History

The CVBG was first used in World War II, primarily in conflicts between the United States and Japan in the Pacific. CVBGs at the time consisted of a far larger number of ships than current CVBGs, and this marked the only time CVBGs have fought each other, notably at the Battle of Coral Sea for the first time and then at the epic Battle of Midway one month later. In the Pacific theater, the carrier replaced the battleship as the measure of power projection and relative strength. The U.S. eventually put over 100 carriers of varying sizes to sea and employed the carrier battle groups in large formations under its 3rd and 5th Fleets. Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... “Pacific” redirects here. ... Battle of the Coral Sea Conflict World War II, Pacific War Date May 4 – May 8, 1942 Place Coral Sea, between Australia, New Guinea, and the United States, Japan Commanders Frank Jack Fletcher Shigeyoshi Inoue Strength 2 large carriers, 3 cruisers 2 large carriers, 1 small carrier, 4 cruisers... Combatants United States Empire of Japan Commanders Chester W. Nimitz Frank J. Fletcher Raymond A. Spruance Isoroku Yamamoto Chuichi Nagumo Tamon Yamaguchi â€  Strength 3 carriers, ~50 support ships, 233 carrier aircraft, 127 land-based aircraft 4 carriers, 7 battleships, ~150 support ships, 248 carrier aircraft, 16 floatplanes Casualties 1 carrier... For other uses, see Battleship (disambiguation). ...

The U.S. Sixth Fleet and its carrier battle group ships at anchor in 1965

During the Cold War, the main role of the CVBG in case of conflict with the Soviet Union would have been to protect Atlantic supply routes between the United States and Europe, while the role of the Soviet Navy would have been to interrupt these sea lanes, a fundamentally easier task. Because the Soviet Union had no large carriers of its own, a situation of dueling aircraft carriers would have been unlikely. However, the primary mission of the Soviet Navy's attack submarines was to shadow every CVBG and, on the outbreak of hostilities, sink the carriers. Understanding this threat, the CVBG expended enormous resources in its own anti-submarine warfare mission. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 727 × 599 pixel Image in higher resolution (740 × 610 pixel, file size: 71 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) US Navy photo File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 727 × 599 pixel Image in higher resolution (740 × 610 pixel, file size: 71 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) US Navy photo File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... USS Los Angeles A submarine is a specialized watercraft that can operate underwater. ... “A/S” redirects here. ...

Carrier battle groups in crisis

In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, most of the uses of CVBGs by the United States as well as that of other nations have been in situations in which their use has been uncontested by other comparable forces.

Taiwan Strait

The main scenario involving carriers coming under fire which is of interest to naval strategists has been a conflict between the United States and the People's Republic of China over the Republic of China (Taiwan).^{[citation needed]} Carrier battle groups have been involved in the disputes related to the Taiwan Strait since President Truman sent the Seventh Fleet through the Strait as a "neutralization" move at the beginning of the Korean War in 1950 ^[1]. There is a consensus among observers that most of the military effort expended by the People's Liberation Army Navy since the 1990s has been to at least complicate the deployment of a CVBG in a Taiwan Strait conflict.^{[citation needed]} For the Chinese civilization, see China. ... Taiwan Strait Area The Taiwan Strait or Formosa Strait is a 180km-wide Strait between mainland China and the island of Taiwan. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Carriers in the 1956 Suez Crisis

British and French carrier battle groups were involved in the 1956 Suez Crisis. Combatants Israel United Kingdom France Egypt Commanders Moshe Dayan Charles Keightley Pierre Barjot Gamal Abdel Nasser Strength 175,000 Israeli 45,000 British 34,000 French 70,000 Casualties 197 Israeli KIA 56 British KIA 91 British WIA 10 French KIA 43 French WIA 650 KIA 2,900 WIA 2...

Carriers in the Falklands/Malvinas conflict

With the collapse of the Soviet Union, the main scenario of interest would be an attack against a CVBG using large number of anti-ship cruise missiles. The first attempted use of anti-ship missiles against a carrier group was part of Argentina's efforts against Britain in the Falklands War/Malvinas. Interestingly, this was the last conflict in which both sides possessed aircraft carriers. A Taurus KEPD 350 cruise missile of the Luftwaffe A cruise missile is a guided missile which uses a lifting wing and most often a jet propulsion system to allow sustained flight. ... Combatants Argentina United Kingdom Commanders President Leopoldo Galtieri Vice-Admiral Juan Lombardo Brigadier-General Ernesto Crespo Brigade-General Mario Menéndez Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher Admiral Sir John Fieldhouse Rear-Admiral John “Sandy” Woodward Major-General Jeremy Moore Casualties 649 killed 1,068 wounded 11,313 taken prisoner 75 fixed... Islas Malvinas are the name of two groups of islands: The Spanish name of the group of islands off the coast of Argentina, known more commonly as the Falkland Islands A chain of tiny islands and rocks near Ibiza in the Mediterranean. ...

Lebanon

The United States Sixth Fleet assembled a force of three carrier battle groups and a battleship during the Lebanese Civil War in 1983. Daily reconnaissance flights were flown over the Bekaa Valley and a strike was flown against targets in the area resulting in loss of an A-6 Intruder and an A-7 Corsair. The Sixth Fleet is a US Navy operational unit, headquartered on the command ship La Salle (AGF-3) with its homeport in Gaeta, Italy and operating in the Mediterranean Sea. ... For other uses, see Battleship (disambiguation). ... Combatants Lebanese Front Syria LNM PLO Commanders Bachir Gemayel Dany Chamoun Kamal Jumblatt Yasser Arafat The Lebanese Civil War (1975–1990) was a multifaceted civil war whose antecedents trace back to the conflicts and political compromises reached after the end of Lebanons administration by the Ottoman Empire. ... ... The A-6 Intruder is a twin-engine, mid-wing attack aircraft built by Grumman Aerospace. ... The Ling-Temco-Vought A-7 Corsair II is a carrier-based subsonic light attack aircraft design that was introduced to replace the A-4 Skyhawk in US Naval service and based on the successful supersonic F-8 Crusader aircraft produced by Chance Vought. ...

Gulf of Sidra

Carrier battle groups routinely operated in the Gulf of Sidra inside the "Line of Death" proclaimed by Libya resulting in aerial engagements in 1981, 1986 and 1989 between U.S. Navy Tomcats and Libyan Su-22 aircraft , SA-5 surface-to-air missiles and MiG-23 fighters. During the 1986 clashes, three carrier battle groups deployed to the Gulf of Sidra and ultimately two of them conducted strikes against Libya in Operation El Dorado Canyon. Gulf of Sidra is a body of water in the Mediterranean Sea on the northern coast of Libya; it is also known as Gulf of Sirte. ... The first Gulf of Sidra incident, August 19, 1981, was an incident in which two Libyan Sukhoi Su-22 Fitter fighter jets engaged two US F-14 Tomcats off of the Libyan coast. ... Two aircraft share the designation Su-17. ... An S-200 missile on its launcher. ... Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 (Flogger). ... Operation El Dorado Canyon was the name of the joint United States Air Force and Navy air-strikes against Libya on April 15, 1986. ...

The U.S. Navy carrier strike group

The traditional term of carrier battle group (CVBG or CARBATGRU) has been replaced by carrier strike group (CSG) in the U.S. Navy. A CSG is a group of ships centered around an aircraft carrier and commanded by an admiral. The United States Navy maintains 11 carrier strike groups, 10 of which are based in the United States and one that is forward deployed in Japan (Kitty Hawk CSG). The fleet response plan requires that six of these groups be deployed or ready for deployment within 30 days at any given time, while two additional groups must be ready for deployment within 90 days.^[2] Their existence is an important part of the power projection capability of the United States in that they provide the ability to strike quickly almost anywhere in the world. The U.S. Navy provides a regular CSG deployment rotation of deployments typically lasting six months based on the needs of combatant commands (COCOMs) that request presence of a carrier in their respective area of responsibility (AOR). Four aircraft carriers, (bottom-to-top) Principe de Asturias, amphibious assault carrier USS Wasp, USS Forrestal and light V/STOL carrier HMS Invincible, showing size differences of late 20th century carriers An aircraft carrier is a warship designed to deploy and in most cases recover aircraft, acting as a sea... USN redirects here. ... USS , and HMS Illustrious, two aircraft carriers on a joint patrol. ... Area Of Responsibility (AOR) is an acronym used to define an area with specific geographic boundaries for which a person or organisation bears a certain responsibility. ...

The large number of CSGs used by the United States reflects, in part, a division of roles and missions allotted during the Cold War, in which the United States assumed primary responsibility for blue water operations and for safeguarding supply lines between the United States and Europe, while the NATO allies assumed responsibility for brown and green water operations. For other uses, see Cold War (disambiguation). ... Ships from seven countries sailing together during the RIMPAC exercise in 2006. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... This article is about the military alliance. ... U.S. Navy riverboat deploying napalm during the Vietnam War. ... A green-water navy is a naval term that refers to a naval force based around a coastal or littoral capability. ...

CSG composition

U.S. Navy ships assigned to the George Washington Carrier Strike Group sail in formation for a strike group photo in the Caribbean Sea April 29, 2006. Such a formation, referred to derisively as the "bullseye" formation, would not be used in combat.

While an aircraft carrier has the ability to project a large amount of air power, it is vulnerable to attack from aircraft, submarines, and other surface ships. The primary role of the other ships in the battle group is to help protect the carrier from enemy air, surface, and submarine threats. The primary role of the carrier and its air wing is to provide the offensive firepower. These roles are not exclusive. Other ships in the battle group sometimes undertake offensive operations (launching cruise missiles, for instance) and the carrier's air wing contributes to the battle group's defense (through combat air patrols and airborne anti-submarine efforts). Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2100x1500, 696 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Carrier battle group Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2100x1500, 696 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Carrier battle group Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used... Map of Central America and the Caribbean The Caribbean Sea (pronounced or ) is a tropical sea in the Western Hemisphere, part of the Atlantic Ocean, southeast of the Gulf of Mexico. ... is the 119th day of the year (120th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

CSGs are not restricted to a specific composition and can be modified depending on expected threats, roles, or missions expected during a deployment, and one may be different from another. However, they are all composed of similar types of ships, and a U.S. Navy carrier strike group typically includes:

• A supercarrier commanded by an aviation community captain (O-6) who reports directly to the commander of the CSG. The carrier provides a wide range of options to the U.S. government, ranging from simply showing the flag, to attacks on airborne, afloat and ashore targets. Because carriers operate in international waters, their aircraft do not need to secure landing rights on foreign soil. These ships also engage in sustained operations in support of other forces. The carrier is the flagship of the battle group, with the commanding rear admiral on board, making use of the advanced combat information center and communications suite.
• A carrier air wing (CVW) commanded by an aviation community captain (O-6) (or colonel in case of Marine serving as CAG) who reports directly to the commander of the CSG and is known as the "Commander, Air Group" (CAG). The carrier air wing typically has up to nine squadrons commanded by a commander (O-5) (or lieutenant colonel if a Marine squadron). The CAG and CO of the carrier are equal in status under the Commander of the CSG (historically, before 1983, the CAG was a department head under the Captain of the ship, but Secretary of the Navy John Lehman created and instituted the concept of a "Super CAG" with the same seniority as the CO of the carrier).
• A destroyer squadron (DESRON) commanded by a surface community captain (O-6) who reports to the CSG commander and commands the escort ships.
• One to two Aegis guided missile cruisers (CG), of the Ticonderoga class—a multi-mission surface combatant, equipped with Tomahawk missiles for long-range strike capability.
• Two to three guided missile destroyers (DDG), of the Arleigh Burke class—a multi-mission surface combatant, used primarily for anti-air warfare (AAW) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW), but it also carries Tomahawk missiles for long-range strike capability.
• Up to two attack submarines, usually of the Los Angeles class; in a direct support role seeking out and destroying hostile surface ships and submarines. More frequently, however, the submarines will try to maximize their advantages in stealth by operating independently in support of the battle group.
• A combined ammunition, oiler and supply ship (AOE/AOR), usually supply (T-AOE); provides logistic support enabling the Navy's forward presence: on station, ready to respond.^[3]

The carrier strike group (CSG) could be employed in a variety of roles, most of which would involve the gaining and maintenance of sea control: USS Enterprise, a supercarrier, and the conventionally-sized aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle A Supercarrier is a ship belonging to the largest class of aircraft carrier. ... Captain is a rank or title with various meanings. ... // PAY GRADE In the United States Military, a Pay Grade is the rate at which all military members receive their basic pay. ... This article describes the government of the United States. ... The terms international waters or trans-boundary waters apply where any of the following types of bodies of water (or their drainage basins) transcend international boundaries: oceans, large marine ecosystems, enclosed or semi-enclosed regional seas and estuaries, rivers, lakes, groundwater systems (aquifers), and wetlands [1]. Oceans and seas, waters... A flagship is the ship used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships. ... The term Rear Admiral originated from the days of Naval Sailing Squadrons, and can trace its origins to the British Royal Navy. ... Carrier Air Wing is an arcade game that was released in 1990 by Capcom. ... Captain is a rank or title with various meanings. ... This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling. ... The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is a branch of the United States military responsible for providing power projection from the sea,[1] utilizing the mobility of the U.S. Navy to rapidly deliver combined-arms task forces. ... Commander, Air Group, or CAG, refers to the senior officer responsible for air operations aboard an aircraft carrier of the U.S. Navy. ... A Squadron is a small unit or formation of cavalry, aircraft (including balloons), or naval vessels. ... Commander is a military rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. ... In the U.S. Army, Air Force and Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a commissioned officer superior to a major and inferior to a colonel. ... Flag of the United States Secretary of the Navy. ... John F. Lehman, Jr. ... DESRON is the USN abbreviation for Destroyer Squadron. ... USS Lake Champlain, a Ticonderoga-class Aegis guided missile cruiser, launched in 1987 The Aegis combat system is an integrated missile guidance system used by the United States Navy. ... The USS Port Royal (CG-73), a Ticonderoga class cruiser. ... Ticonderoga class cruiser is a class of warships in the US Navy, first ordered and authorized in FY 1978. ... A Tomahawk cruise missile The Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) is a long-range, all-weather, subsonic cruise missile with stubby wings. ... A guided missile destroyer is, as the name suggests, a destroyer designed to launch guided missiles. ... The Arleigh Burke class of guided missile destroyers, one of the destroyer classes of the United States Navy, is built around the Aegis combat system and the SPY-1D multi-function phased array radar. ... “Flak” redirects here. ... “A/S” redirects here. ... For other uses, see Submarine (disambiguation). ... The Los Angeles-class attack submarines (SSN) are the most numerous class of nuclear powered submarines built by any nation, and form the bulk of the U.S. attack submarine force as of 2007. ... An oiler is a ship, also called a tanker, that can carry a liquid cargo of petroleum, or a naval support vessel that carries fuel to other naval ships steaming at sea, and can transfer the fuel during underway RAS improved fleet operations reliability, availabiltiy and serviceability. ... Supply boat, or Supply Ship is a kind of vessel to supply all the necessaries for the crews or workers on the oil drilling rigs at the sea. ... The fast combat support ship (AOE) is the United States Navys largest combat logistics ship, designed as oiler, ammunition and supply ship. ... A replenishment oiler at work A replenishment oiler is a naval auxiliary ship with fuel tanks and dry stores capability, which can replenish other ships underway. ... The fast combat support ship (AOE) is the United States Navys largest combat logistics ship, designed as oiler, ammunition and supply ship. ... Look up Logistics in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

• Protection of economic and/or military shipping.
• Protection of a U.S. Marine Corps amphibious force while en route to, and upon arrival in, an amphibious objective area.
• Establishing air superiority or supremacy in an area in combination with land-based aircraft.
• Establishing a naval presence in support of national interests.
• Power projection.

Air superiority is the dominance in the air power of one side air forces of another side during a military campaign. ... Air supremacy is the most favorable state of control of the air. ...

Expeditionary strike group

The U.S. Navy renamed its amphibious ready group (ARG) as expeditionary strike groups in concert with the CSG concept and provided the traditional three ship ARG with additional escorts similar to the CSG. An Amphibious Ready Group of the United States Navy consists of a Navy element — a group of ships known as an amphibious task force (ATF) — and a landing force (LF) of United States Marine Corps (and occasionally, United States Army troops), in total about 5000 people. ... The Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG), also known as an Expeditionary Strike Force, is a military concept which was introduced in the U.S. military in the early 1990s and is based on the Naval Expeditionary Task Force. ...

Battleship battle group

During the period when the American navy recommissioned all four of its Iowa class battleships, it sometimes used a similar formation centered around a battleship, referred to as a battleship battle group (BBG). Four battleships of the Iowa-class battleships (BB-61 through BB-64) were built in the early 1940s in the United States. ... For other uses, see Battleship (disambiguation). ... A battleship battle group was a formation used by the United States Navy, after the recommissioning of the Iowa class battleships. ...

Other carrier battle groups

Please help improve this article by expanding this section. See talk page for details. Please remove this message once the section has been expanded.

Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ...

British carrier battle groups

The Royal Navy maintains two task forces concurrently (one based around an aircraft carrier and one based around an Amphibious Command Ship). At least one task group is deployed at any one time. There are currently two Invincible class aircraft carriers in operation with the Royal Navy, with a further one in reserve. The Royal Navy also utilises the Ocean Class LPH as well as the two Albion Class LPHs as Amphibious Command Ship's at the centre of a task group. The Queen Elizabeth class is currently planned to deliver two much larger carriers, operating the F-35, replacing the ageing Invincible class in 2014 and 2016 respectively. The sixth (and current) HMS Invincible. ... This article is about the navy of the United Kingdom. ... HMS Ocean (centre right) in a 5-country multinational fleet, during Operation Enduring Freedom in the Oman Sea. ... HMS Ocean A Landing Platform, Helicopter is a warship designed to deliver troops into a war zone by helicopter, but which usually has a limited capability of landing troops by sea using small landing craft. ... HMS Bulwark (L15) in the northern Persian Gulf in March 2006 The Albion class is a STATE OF THE ART class of landing platform dock, and are the newest amphibious assault vessels in the Royal Navy fleet. ... An amphibious transport dock (also called a landing platform dock or LPD) is an amphibious assault ship, a warship that embarks, transports, and lands elements of a landing force for expeditionary warfare missions. ... The Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers (formerly CVF)[4] are a new generation of aircraft carrier being developed for the United Kingdoms Royal Navy. ... The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) is a fighter plane currently in early development by Lockheed Martin (with partners Northrop Grumman and BAE SYSTEMS.) The primary customers are the United States armed forces and the United Kingdom (RN and RAF), but the Netherlands...

French carrier battle groups

The only serving French carrier is the Charles de Gaulle (R 91), which also serves as the flagship of the Marine Nationale. The Future French aircraft carrier will be based around the planned Royal Navy CVF design, and will be powered by gas turbines, rather than the nuclear power plant currently used aboard the Charles de Gaulle. Charles de Gaulle (R91) is the only serving French aircraft carrier and is the flagship of the French Navy (Marine Nationale). ...

The Carrier Battle Group (Groupe Aéronaval, GAN, in french) is usually composed, in addition to the aircraft carrier, of :

• a carrier air wing (Groupe Aérien Embarqué, GAE, in french), a complement composed of about 40 aircrafts :
  • Rafale (up to 12)
  • Super Étendard (up to 36)
  • E-2C Hawkeye (2)
  • SA365 Dauphin (3 or more)
• one Rubis Class SSN
• two anti-submarine destroyers (currently F67 or F70 Class)
• one or two anti-air destroyers (currently Cassard Class destroyers, soon helped by Horizon Class destroyers)
• one frigate in forward patrol (usually a La Fayette Class)
• one supply ship

This group is commanded by a rear admiral (contre-amiral, in french) onboard the aircraft carrier. The commanding officer of the air group (usually a Capitaine de Frégate - equivalent to commander) is a subordonate of the commanding officier of the aircraft carrier, an "old" captain. The escort destroyers (called frigates in the french denomination) are commanded by younger captains. The Rafale is a French twin-engine delta-wing multirole fighter aircraft designed and built by Dassault Aviation. ... The Dassault Super Étendard is a French carrier-borne strike fighter in service with the French and Argentine Navy. ... The Grumman E-2 Hawkeye is an all-weather, aircraft carrier-based tactical Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft nicknamed Super Fudd[1] because it replaced Willy Fudd, (the E-1 Tracer). ... The Eurocopter Dauphin (Dolphin) is a medium-weight multipurpose twin-engine helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter (originally by Aérospatiale). ... The Rubis type is a class of first-generation nuclear attack submarines of the French Navy. ... The F67 type is a class of large high-sea (Blue water) Destroyers of the French Navy specialised in anti-submarine warfare. ... The Georges Leygues class (F70 type) is a type of anti-submarine frigates of the French Navy. ... The Cassard (D614) is an anti-air frigate of the French Marine Nationale, lead ship of the Cassard type. ... The Horizon Common New Generation Frigate (CNGF) is a multi-nationial collaboration to produce a new generation of anti-air warfare frigates. ... The La Fayette class units are light multi-mission frigates built by DCN and operated by France (Marine Nationale), Saudi Arabia, Singapore (Republic of Singapore Navy) and Republic of China (Taiwan) (Republic of China Navy). ...

Spanish carrier battle group

The Spanish Navy currently only operates one carrier, the Principe de Asturias (R11). It will soon be joined by the Buque de Proyección Estratégica, designed as a multi-purpose warship that can, potentially, be used as a carrier. The aircraft carrier Príncipe de Asturias (R-11) is the flagship of the Spanish Navy. ... Computer simulation of the Buque de proyección estratégica Buque de Proyección Estratégica (Strategic projection vessel, similar to an LHD) is a planned multipurpose warship for the Spanish Navy (Armada Española). ...

Italian carrier battle group

The CVS–ASW (Aircraft Carrier with Anti-Submarine Warfare) Giuseppe Garibaldi (551) is Italy's only carrier. She will shortly be joined by the Cavour (550), which is designed for a greater range of operations. The aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi (551) is the current flagship of the Marina Militare Italiana, the Italian Navy. ... Cavour (550) is an Italian aircraft carrier (CVS). ...

Indian carrier battle group

The Indian carrier battle group currently uses the INS Viraat, an updated Centaur class light carrier originally built for the Royal Navy as HMS Hermes, which was laid down in 1944 and commissioned in 1959. It was purchased by India in 1986. India will commission a second aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya, in 2008. INS Viraat (Sanskrit: विराट) (R22) is a Centaur-class aircraft carrier currently in service with the Indian Navy. ... The second HMS Hermes (R12) was a Centaur-class aircraft carrier, the last of the postwar conventional aircraft carriers commissioned into the Royal Navy. ... The aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, the former Admiral Gorshkov, is estimated to enter service in the Indian Navy in 2008. ... 2008 (MMVIII) will be a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Soviet and Russian carrier battle groups

The sole former Soviet and now Russian carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov is in general very rarely out to sea. On the few sorties the carrier have conducted, most of them have been solo-missions without a large escort. However, the Kuznetsov have been observed sailing together with both a Kirov class CGN, Slava class CG, Sovremenny class DDG (ASuW), Udaloy class DDG (ASW) and Krivak I/II FFG (ASW). These escorts, especially the heavily armed Kirov class cruiser, would be a highly capable escort due to its magnitude of sensors and variation of weapons carried. However, ships like the Kirov are designed to go head-to-head with US CVBG, and in an event of war these ships would have been used in offensive operations and not fleet escort. Carrier escort would have been conducted by smaller, but still capable escorts, like a Slava class backed up by several Sovremenny, Udaloy and Krivak vessels. Admiral Flota Sovetskogo Soyuza Kuznetsov (Russian: Адмирал флота Советского Союза Кузнецов, originally named Tbilisi and then Leonid Brezhnev[1]) is an aircraft carrier (heavy aircraft carrying cruiser (TAVKR) in Russian classification) serving as the flagship of the Russian Navy. ... Radars: Voskhod MR-800 (Top Pair) 3D search radar on foremast Fregat MR-710 (Top Steer) 3D search radar on main mast 2 × Palm Frond navigation radar on foremast Sonar Horse Tail VDS (Variable Deep Sonar) Fire control: 2 × Top Dome for SA-N-6 fire control 4 × Bass Tilt... The Slava class cruiser, Soviet designation Project 1164 Atlant, is a large conventionally-powered warship, currently operated by Russia and Ukraine. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... Marshal Shaposhnikov transitting the channel into Pearl Harbor in 2003 The Udaloy class are a series of anti-submarine destroyers built for the Soviet Navy - The Russian designation is Project 1155 Fregat (Frigate bird) // History and design The Project 1155 dates to the 1970s when it was concluded that it... A Krivak I class frigate at anchor. ...

However, the Admiral Kuznetsov is built specifically to be able to sail alone, due to its increased weapons package compared to US carriers. This includes 12x SS-N-19 'Shipwreck' (long range, high speed, sea-skimming) SSMs, 24x VLS units loaded with 192 SA-N-9 'Gauntlet' SAMs, and 8x Kashtan CIWS with dual 30 mm guns, and 8x AK-630 CIWS. Compared to the 4x Phalanx CIWS and 4x Sea Sparrow launchers, each with 6 missiles carried by the US Nimitz class, the Kuznetsov is well armed for both air-defence, and offensive operations against hostile shipping.

Brazilian carrier battle group

The NAe São Paulo forms Brazil's only carrier battle group. It is an old Clemenceau class aircraft carrier, a design used by the French Navy until 1997. NAe[1] São Paulo is a Clemenceau class aircraft carrier of the Brazilian Navy, formerly the French Foch. ... The Clemenceau class aircraft carriers are a pair of aircraft carriers which served in the French Navy from 1961 through 2000, and of which one currently remains in active service with the Brazilian Navy. ...

Thai carrier battle group

HTMS Chakri Nareubet is Thailand's only aircraft carrier, and is based upon the Principe de Asturias (R11) of the Spanish Navy. The Chakri Naruebet (Thai จักรีนฤเบศร) is Thailands first and only aircraft carrier. ... The aircraft carrier Príncipe de Asturias (R-11) is the flagship of the Spanish Navy. ...

Underway replenishment

USS Reagan conducting underway replenishment at same time as an Arleigh Burke class destroyer

The viability of the carrier battle group since its origins was dependent on its ability to remain at sea for extended periods. Specialized ships were developed to provide underway replenishment of fuel (for the carrier and its aircraft), ordnance, and other supplies necessary to sustain operations. Carrier battle groups devote a great deal of planning to efficiently conduct underway replenishment to minimize the time spent conducting replenishment. The carrier can also provide replenishment on a limited basis to its escorts, but typically a replenishment ship such as a fast combat support ship (AOE) or replenishment oiler (AOR) pulls alongside a carrier and conducts simultaneous operations with the carrier on its port side and one of the escorts on its starboard side. The advent of the helicopter provides the ability to speed replenishment by lifting supplies at the same time that fuelling hoses and lines are delivering other goods. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Underway Replenishment. ... The fast combat support ship (AOE) is the United States Navys largest combat logistics ship, designed as oiler, ammunition and supply ship. ... A replenishment oiler at work A replenishment oiler is a naval auxiliary ship with fuel tanks and dry stores capability, which can replenish other ships underway. ...

Debate on future viability

There is debate in naval warfare circles as to the viability of carrier battle groups in 21st century naval warfare. Proponents of the CVBG argue that it provides unmatched fire power and force projection capabilities. Opponents argue that CVBGs are increasingly vulnerable to arsenal ships and cruise missiles, especially those with supersonic flight and the ability to do radical trajectory changes to avoid anti-missile systems. It is also noted that that CVBGs were designed for Cold War scenarios, and are less useful in establishing control of areas close to shore. It is argued however that such missiles and arsenal ships pose no serious threat as they would be eliminated due to increasing improvement in ship defenses such as CEC (cooperative engagement capability), DEW technology and missile technology. An arsenal ship is a ship which was proposed by the US Navy in 1996. ... A Taurus KEPD 350 cruise missile of the Luftwaffe A cruise missile is a guided missile which uses a lifting wing and most often a jet propulsion system to allow sustained flight. ... A United States Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in transonic flight. ... For other uses, see Cold War (disambiguation). ...

However, carriers have been called upon to be first responders even when conventional land based aircraft were employed. During Desert Shield, the U.S. Navy sortied additional carriers to augment the on station assets eventually maintaining six carriers for Desert Storm. Although the U.S. Air Force sent fighters such as the F-16 to theater in Desert Shield, they had to carry bombs with them as no stores were in place for sustained operations whereas the carriers arrived on scene with full magazines and had support ships to allow them to conduct strikes indefinitely. See also: 2003 invasion of Iraq and Gulf War (disambiguation) C Company, 1st Battalion, The Staffordshire Regiment, 1st UK Armoured Division The Persian Gulf War was a conflict between Iraq and a coalition force of 34 nations led by the United States. ... The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a modern multi-role jet fighter aircraft built in the United States and used by dozens of countries all over the world. ...

The Global War on Terror (GWOT) has shown the flexibility and responsiveness of the carrier on multiple occasions when land based air was not feasible or able to respond in a timely fashion. After the attack on the US, carriers immediately headed to Afghanistan to support Operation Enduring Freedom and took up station building to a carrier response of three carriers. Their steaming location was closer to the targets in Afghanistan than any land based assets and thereby more responsive. The USS Kitty Hawk was adapted to be a support base for special operations helicopters. Carriers were used again in Operation Iraqi Freedom and even provided aircraft to be based ashore on occasion and have done so periodically since when special capabilities are needed. This precedent was established during World War II in the Battle of Guadalcanal and still remains viable today. The Global War On Terror is the official Department of Defense title for the United States ongoing campaign against Al-Quaida and other groups since the attacks of 9/11. ... Combatants United States, Poland, France, Canada, Pakistan, India, Australia, United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines (in the Philippines theatre only), Northern Alliance, Italy, Czech Republic, Hungary, Ethiopia, Somalia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Albania, Macedonia, Romania, Portugal, Bulgaria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Georgia Taliban, al-Qaeda, Abu Sayyaf, Jemaah... The supercarrier, USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), formerly CVA-63, is the second naval ship named after Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the site of the Wright brothers first flight. ... Special forces or special operations forces is a term used to describe relatively small military units raised and trained for reconnaissance, unconventional warfare and special operations. ... For other uses of the term, see Iraq war (disambiguation) The 2003 invasion of Iraq (also called the 2nd or 3rd Persian Gulf War) began on March 20, 2003, when forces belonging primarily to the United States and the United Kingdom invaded Iraq arguably without the explicit backing of the... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... Operation Watchtower On August 7, 1942, the 1st Marine Division performed an amphibious landing east of the Tenaru River. ...

See also

• U.S. Carrier Group Tactics

It is tempting and i nteresting to regard modern naval combat as the purest expression of tactics. ...

References

Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 21st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Colour footage of a Carrier Battle Group from WW2