The Real Reason Behind the US Navy’s 11 Aircraft Carriers
Aircraft carriers have long been a symbol of naval power and dominance. For the United States, these massive vessels hold such significance that there’s a federal law stipulating the Navy must maintain at least 11 operational carriers. But why this specific number? The answer lies in a strategic formula rooted in the concept of fighting two major wars simultaneously.
Being the world’s most powerful military doesn’t necessarily mean being invincible. Just as an MMA champion would struggle against multiple opponents, the mightiest military could falter against the combined forces of several nations. Hence, the real question is: how much power is truly enough?
The US military doctrine revolves around “power projection” — the ability to deploy and sustain forces beyond domestic borders. With approximately 750 US foreign military bases in 80 countries, the primary means of such projection, especially where permanent bases are scarce, is the Navy. And within the Navy, the emphasis is on aircraft carriers.
Presidents, during crises, often inquire about the nearest aircraft carrier. However, it’s not the carrier itself but the air wing it hosts that’s of primary interest. Essentially, the carrier serves as a floating air base. The real power lies in the carrier air wing, capable of projecting tactical air power over vast distances.
But why 11 carriers? While the US boasts 11 supercarriers — more than all other nations combined — not all are deployable simultaneously. Typically, a third are in maintenance, another third in training, and the remaining third on deployment. In reality, only two to three supercarriers are deployed at any given time. This is deemed sufficient to engage in two wars in different world regions simultaneously and emerge victorious.
Historically, the idea of simultaneous wars dates back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The US’s territorial expansion in 1898, acquiring territories in both the Pacific and Atlantic, necessitated naval presence in both oceans. The 1940 Vincent-Walsh Act, or the Two-Ocean Navy Act, funded a 70% increase in the US Navy fleet size, emphasizing aircraft and their carriers.
Translating the concept of fighting two major wars into tangible numbers — like how many army divisions, air force wings, or navy carrier strike groups are needed — is a complex task. The US Navy aims for 355 ships by 2034, but with the current rate of retiring ships, this goal seems ambitious. Aircraft carriers, vulnerable on their own, are always accompanied by other ships, forming a carrier strike group.
Some conservative public policy organizations advocate for an even larger military. For instance, the Heritage Foundation suggests a 400-ship Navy and 13 aircraft carriers. The rationale is to ensure one carrier in each major world region — the Atlantic, Pacific, and Mediterranean/Middle East — with three additional carriers for each deployed one. This ensures the health and effectiveness of ships, crew, and onboard aircraft.
However, maintaining or expanding such a massive military force comes with significant costs. With the US military budget as a percentage of GDP declining over decades, and emerging threats like cyber warfare, the traditional approach to power projection might need reevaluation. The Two-Ocean Navy Act of 1940 was a product of its time, emphasizing physical presence. But as technology evolves and new forms of warfare emerge, strategies must adapt. Perhaps, in the future, we’ll see a shift from “Top Gun” to “Top Hack”.
