Everything Everywhere Daily: Aircraft Carriers (Encore) – Detailed Summary

Podcast Information:

• Title: Everything Everywhere Daily
• Host: Gary Arndt | Glassbox Media
• Episode: Aircraft Carriers (Encore)
• Release Date: May 17, 2025
• Description: An in-depth exploration of aircraft carriers—their origins, evolution, and current role in modern naval warfare.

1. Introduction to Aircraft Carriers

Gary Arndt opens the episode by highlighting the significant role of aircraft carriers in global naval power. He describes them as "enormous platforms that can travel around the globe, projecting power over an enormous part of it" (00:00). Despite their formidable presence today, Arndt emphasizes their modest beginnings, predating even the invention of the airplane.

2. Early Origins: Balloon Carriers

• Balloon Carriers: The concept of integrating aerial observation with naval operations began in the 19th century with balloon carriers. These ships launched balloons for extended reconnaissance, allowing fleets to detect enemies beyond the horizon.

  • First Balloon Carrier: The SMS Volcano, launched in 1849 by the Austrian Empire, is recognized as the first balloon carrier, marking the initial fusion of aerial and naval combat (00:40).

• Transition to Seaplane Tenders: Balloon carriers were later superseded by seaplane tenders, with the French ship Lafoudre (1910) being the first. These ships carried seaplanes that took off from short decks and landed on water, primarily for reconnaissance purposes.

• Current Use: Arndt mentions that balloon carriers aren’t entirely obsolete, citing a public hot air ballooning company on Lake Tahoe that still operates a modern balloon carrier (02:30).

3. Birth of the Modern Aircraft Carrier

• Invention and Early Experiments: Following the invention of the airplane in 1909, Clement Adder proposed the idea of a flat-decked ship in his book L'Aviation Militaire. This concept materialized with Eugene Ely's historic flights:

  • First Takeoff from a Ship: On November 14, 1910, Ely took off from the USS Birmingham in Virginia (04:20).

  • First Landing on a Ship: Ely successfully landed his Curtiss Model D biplane on the USS Pennsylvania on January 18, 1911, addressing the challenge of limited landing space using sandbags and ropes (05:10).

• Moving Ship Operations: The first takeoff from a moving ship occurred on May 9, 1912, by Commander Charles Rumney Sampson from HMS Hibernia, demonstrating the feasibility of carrier operations while at sea (06:00).

4. World War I and Early Military Use

• Introduction to Warfare: The onset of World War I saw the first military applications of aircraft carriers. Notably:

  • Japanese Seaplane Carrier Wakame: Launched the first air raid from a ship on September 6, 1914, targeting Austrian and German vessels near Qingdao, China (07:25).

  • HMS Furious: In 1917, Commander Edwin Harris Dunning landed a Sopwhip Pup on HMS Furious, the first successful landing on a moving ship (09:15).

  • HMS Argus: Commissioned in 1918, it was the first ship with a full-length flat deck, moving closer to the true aircraft carrier design (10:00).

Despite these advancements, early carriers were often retrofitted from existing ships, making them less efficient and visually incongruent with true carrier designs.

5. Interwar Period and the Rise of Naval Aviation

• Strategic Shift: Post-World War I, the naval doctrine began to pivot from traditional battleships to aircraft carriers. The extended range and versatility of aircraft rendered battleships less dominant.

• Japanese Hosho: Commissioned in 1923, the Hosho was the first purpose-built aircraft carrier, signaling a new era in naval warfare (12:40).

• United States Developments: The U.S. launched its first carrier, the USS Langley, in 1922, followed by the USS Ranger in 1934—the latter being the first carrier built from the ground up rather than converted from another vessel (14:30).

6. World War II: Dominance of Aircraft Carriers

• Shift in Naval Power: During World War II, aircraft carriers eclipsed battleships as the premier naval vessels. Key points include:

  • Carrier Groups: Due to their vulnerability when isolated, carriers operated within groups comprising cruisers and destroyers for protection (16:50).

  • Battle of Midway: Arndt references the Battle of Midway as the largest aircraft carrier battle in history, underscoring the strategic importance of carriers in decisive naval engagements (18:20).

  • Attrition: Approximately 112 aircraft carriers were lost during the war, reflecting their critical role and the intense naval battles fought (19:30).

7. Post-War Evolution and the Advent of Supercarriers

• Jet Aircraft Integration: The introduction of jet engines necessitated significant modifications to carrier design, leading to the development of supercarriers with features like angled decks and steam-driven catapults.

  • USS Forrestal (1955): The first supercarrier, featuring an angled deck and catapult systems to handle jet operations. It marked a substantial increase in size and capability (21:15).

• Nuclear-Powered Carriers:

  • USS Enterprise (1961): The inaugural nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, equipped with eight nuclear reactors, although subsequent ships of its class were never built (23:00).

  • Nimitz Class (1975): Featuring two nuclear reactors and a displacement of 100,000 tons, the Nimitz class became the backbone of the U.S. Navy's carrier fleet, with all ten ships still active as of the episode's recording (24:45).

• Modern Innovations:

  • USS Gerald R. Ford (2017): Representing the latest advancement, the Ford class replaces steam catapults with electromagnetic systems, boasts more powerful reactors, and operates with a reduced crew size by 25% (27:30).

8. Current Status and Future of Aircraft Carriers

• Global Fleet: As of the episode's release, there are 20 active aircraft carriers worldwide:

  • United States: 11 supercarriers, the largest and most advanced in the world.

  • Others: France has one; the UK, Italy, India, and China each operate two (29:10).

• Vulnerability Concerns: Despite their strengths, aircraft carriers face increasing threats from modern weaponry such as missiles, drones, and hypersonic missiles. Arndt notes that in hypothetical war games, these "multi-billion dollar floating fortresses" can be neutralized by surprisingly small and simple attacks, highlighting their vulnerabilities (31:00).

• Current Dominance: Nonetheless, as of the recording, aircraft carriers remain the "unmatched kings of naval warfare," showcasing their continued strategic significance (32:20).

9. Personal Anecdote and Observations

Gary Arndt shares his personal experience visiting the USS Harry S. Truman in 2015, describing the intricate and dangerous operations on the flight deck:

• Flight Deck Operations: Arndt was captivated by the coordination among crew members, each identifiable by their colored shirts, performing complex maneuvers essential for flight operations (34:00).

• Unique Experiences: He underscores that launching and landing on an aircraft carrier is a unique and unparalleled experience, one that most crew members never personally undergo (35:45).

10. Conclusion

Despite evolving threats and technological advancements that challenge their dominance, aircraft carriers continue to play a pivotal role in naval strategy. Gary Arndt concludes by reaffirming their status in current naval warfare while acknowledging the debates surrounding their future relevance.

Notable Quotes:

• Gary Arndt:

  • "Aircraft carriers are enormous platforms that can travel around the globe, projecting power over an enormous part of it." (00:00)

  • "Landing and getting launched from an aircraft carrier is something that is unlike any other experience you'll ever have." (35:45)

  • "Despite the carrier groups that surround them, they are still very vulnerable to missiles, drones, and a new breed of hypersonic missile." (31:00)

  • "At least as of the time of this recording, aircraft carriers are still the unmatched kings of naval warfare." (32:20)

Final Notes:

This episode provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution of aircraft carriers, from their primitive beginnings with balloon carriers to the advanced nuclear-powered supercarriers of today. Gary Arndt effectively balances historical context with modern developments, offering listeners an engaging narrative on one of naval warfare's most iconic instruments.

For those seeking to understand the strategic importance and technological advancements of aircraft carriers, this encore episode serves as an invaluable resource.