Do US super-carriers make sense anymore? The BBC goes on board one

BBC - Feb 20th, 2025
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The USS Carl Vinson, a massive US aircraft carrier, participated in a joint naval exercise with French and Japanese forces in the Pacific, highlighting the United States' commitment to its alliances despite growing Chinese military capabilities. Rear Adm Michael Wosje emphasized the importance of these partnerships in addressing security challenges. The exercise, the first involving a French carrier in the Pacific in over 40 years, showcased the interoperability of allied forces in maintaining regional stability.

The exercise occurs amidst debates over the relevance of aircraft carriers in modern warfare, especially considering advancements in Chinese missile technology that threaten their effectiveness. The Trump administration's focus on defense budget efficiencies raises questions about the future of these costly vessels. Despite this, the construction of new Ford-class carriers continues, indicating that US super-carriers are likely to remain a central element of American military strategy, serving as powerful symbols of US naval dominance and diplomatic influence.

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RATING

6.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the USS Carl Vinson and its role in U.S. military strategy, highlighting both its capabilities and the challenges posed by modern missile technologies. While the narrative is engaging and well-structured, the article could benefit from more diverse perspectives and expert analyses to enhance its balance and credibility. The discussion of strategic value and budgetary concerns is timely and relevant, reflecting broader geopolitical dynamics and defense priorities. Overall, the article effectively engages readers and contributes to ongoing debates about national security and military spending, though it could further explore controversial topics to provoke meaningful discussion.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The article provides a generally accurate depiction of the USS Carl Vinson, describing its size, capabilities, and role in U.S. military strategy. It accurately mentions the carrier's nuclear power and its role in joint exercises with allies like France and Japan. However, there are some discrepancies, such as the weight of the carrier being slightly underreported. The article claims the Vinson is nearly 90,000 tonnes, while it is actually over 100,000 tons. Additionally, it states that the carrier costs around $700 million annually to run, which, while plausible, lacks specific citation. The discussion on the vulnerability of carriers to Chinese missiles is a debated topic, but the article presents it as a widely accepted fact without acknowledging the ongoing debate among military experts.

6
Balance

The article attempts to present a balanced view by discussing both the strengths and vulnerabilities of U.S. super-carriers. It highlights the unmatched global reach of the U.S. fleet while also questioning the strategic value of carriers in the face of modern missile threats. However, it leans slightly towards a critical perspective, emphasizing potential vulnerabilities and budgetary concerns under the Trump administration. The viewpoints of military officials are included, but the article could benefit from a broader range of perspectives, particularly from defense analysts or experts on Chinese military capabilities.

8
Clarity

The article is well-written and structured, providing a clear narrative of the visit to the USS Carl Vinson and the broader strategic context. The language is accessible, and the descriptions of the carrier's operations and capabilities are vivid and engaging. The article effectively conveys the complexity of modern naval strategy, though some sections could benefit from additional context or clarification, particularly regarding technical details or strategic implications.

5
Source quality

The article relies primarily on observations from a visit to the USS Carl Vinson and quotes from military officials like Rear Adm Michael Wosje. While these are credible sources, the article lacks a diversity of voices, such as independent military analysts or experts on naval strategy. There is also a lack of direct citations or references to specific studies or reports that could enhance the credibility of the claims made, particularly regarding the cost of running the carrier and its strategic value.

6
Transparency

The article is transparent about the context of the visit to the USS Carl Vinson, describing the joint exercises and the presence of international military officials. However, it does not provide detailed methodology or background for some of its claims, such as the cost of running the carrier or the specific capabilities of Chinese missiles. The article would benefit from clearer sourcing and explanation of how certain conclusions were reached, particularly those related to budgetary concerns and strategic assessments.

Sources

  1. https://judicial.mc.edu/uss-carl-vinson
  2. https://ndupress.ndu.edu/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/1566448/the-future-of-the-aircraft-carrier-and-the-carrier-air-wing/
  3. https://www3.nnu.edu/uss-vinson-cvn-70_51375.html
  4. https://news.usni.org/2019/08/30/navy-to-update-2-dry-docks-to-accommodate-ford-class-carriers
  5. https://www.navyemporium.com/blogs/navy-blog-articles/uss-carl-vinson-cvn-70