Carrier battle group

This article is about the military formation in general. For the specific formation used by the United States Navy, seecarrier strike group.For other uses, seebattle group (disambiguation).

TheUSSAbraham Lincolncarrier battle group during the 2000RIMPACexercise

Acarrier battle group(CVBG) is anaval fleetconsisting of anaircraft carriercapital shipand its large number ofescorts,together defining the group. TheCVinCVBG(CruiserVoler) is theUnited States Navy hull classification code for an aircraft carrier.

The first navaltask forcesbuilt around carriers appeared just prior to and duringWorld War II.TheImperial Japanese Navy(IJN) was the first to assemble many carriers into a single task force, known as theKido Butai.This task force was used with devastating effect in theJapanese attack on Pearl Harbor.The Kido Butai operated as the IJN's main carrier battle group until four of its carriers were sunk at theBattle of Midway.In contrast, theUnited States Navydeployed its large carriers in separate formations, with each carrier assigned its owncruiseranddestroyerescorts. These single-carrier formations would often be paired or grouped together for certain assignments, most notably theBattle of the Coral Seaand Midway. By 1943, however, large numbers of fleet and light carriers became available, which required larger formations of three or four carriers. These groups eventually formed theFast Carrier Task Force,which became the primary battle unit of theU.S. ThirdandFifth Fleets.

With the construction of the large "supercarriers"of theCold War era,the practice of operating each carrier in a single formation was revived. During the Cold War, the main role of the CVBG in case of conflict with theSoviet Unionwould have been to protectAtlanticsupply routes between the United States and itsNATOallies in Europe, while the role of theSoviet Navywould 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, a primary mission of the Soviet Navy'sattack submarineswas to track every allied battle group and, on the outbreak of hostilities, sink the carriers. Understanding this threat, the CVBG expended enormous resources in its ownanti-submarine warfaremission.

Carrier battle groups in crises

In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, most uses of carrier battle groups by the United States as well as that of other Western nations have been in situations where their use has been uncontested by other comparable forces. During the Cold War, an important battle scenario was an attack against a CVBG using numerousantiship missiles.

1956 Suez Crisis

British and French carrier battle groups were involved in the1956 Suez Crisis.

1971 Indo-Pakistan war

During theIndo-Pakistani War of 1971,India used its carrier strike group centered onINSVikrantto impose a naval blockade on East Pakistan. Air strikes were carried out initially on shipping in the harbors ofChittagongandCox's Bazar,sinking or incapacitating most ships there. Further strikes were carried out on Cox's Bazar from 60 nautical miles (110 km) offshore. On the evening of 4 December, the air group again struck Chittagong harbor. Later strikes targetedKhulnaand thePort of Mongla.Air strikes continued until 10 December 1971.

1982 Falklands War

BothARAVeinticinco de MayoandHMSInvincibletook part in theFalklands War.

The first attempted use of anti-ship missiles against a carrier battle group was part ofArgentina's efforts against British armed forces during theFalklands War.This was the last conflict so far in which opposing belligerents employed aircraft carriers, although Argentina made little use of its sole carrier,ARAVeinticinco de Mayo,which was originally built in the United Kingdom as HMSVenerableand later served with theRoyal Netherlands Navy(1948–1968).

Lebanon

TheUnited States Sixth Fleetassembled a force of three carrier battle groups and abattleshipduring theLebanese Civil Warin 1983. Daily reconnaissance flights were flown over theBekaa Valleyand a strike was flown against targets in the area resulting in loss of anA-6 Intruderand anA-7 Corsair.

Gulf of Sidra

Carrier battle groups routinely operated in theGulf of Sidrainside the "Line of Death"proclaimed byLibyaresulting in aerial engagements in 1981, 1986 and 1989 between U.S. Navy Tomcats and LibyanSu-22aircraft,SA-5surface-to-air missiles andMiG-23fighters. During the 1986 clashes, three carrier battle groups deployed to the Gulf of Sidra and ultimately two of them conducted strikes against Libya inOperation El Dorado Canyon.

2011 military intervention in Libya

During theinternational military interventionin the2011 Libyan civil war,theFrench Navydeployed its aircraft carrier,Charles de Gaulle,offLibya.TheCharles de Gaullewas accompanied by several frigates asForbin,Dupleix,Aconit,the replenishment tankerMeuseand twoRubis-classnuclear attack submarines.

Applications

China

China plans to set upseveral carrier battle groups in the future.At present China's two aircraft carriers, theLiaoningandShandong,useType 055destroyers forarea air defencewithanti-submarine warfare,Type 052CorType 052Ddestroyers forair defense,Type 054Afrigates foranti-submarineandanti-ship warfare,1–2Type 093nuclear attack submarines,and 1Type 901supply ship. China is currently building athird carrier,as well as anuclear-powered fourth carrierplanned for constructionand expected to be completed by the late 2020s.China is also building a new larger class of air defense destroyers, theType 055.

France

The only serving French carrier is theCharles de Gaulle,which also serves as the flagship of the Marine Nationale. The carrier battle group of theForce d'Action Navaleis known as theGroupe Aéronaval(GAN) and is usually composed, in addition to the aircraft carrier, of:

• acarrier air wing(Groupe Aérien Embarqué, GAE, in French), a complement composed of about 40 aircraft:
  • Rafale F3(up to 30)
  • E-2C Hawkeye(2)
  • SA365 Dauphin(3) for RESCO andEC725 Caracalfor CSAR (2)
• oneRubis-classsubmarine
• two anti-submarine destroyers (currentlyFREMM ASMorGeorges Leyguesclass)
• one or two anti-air destroyers (HorizonorCassardclass)
• one stealth frigate in forward patrol (usually aLa Fayetteclass)
• one supply ship (currently aDurance-classtanker)

This group is commanded by a rear admiral (contre-amiral,in French) on board the aircraft carrier. The commanding officer of the air group (usually acapitaine de frégate—equivalent to commander) is subordinate to the commanding officer of the aircraft carrier, a senior captain. The escort destroyers (called frigates in the French denomination) are commanded by more junior captains.

France also operates threeMistral-classamphibious assault ships. While incapable of operating fixed-winged aircraft, they function as helicopter carriers and form the backbone of France's amphibious force. These ships are typically escorted by the same escorts theCharles De Gaulleuses.

India

A flotilla from the Indian Navy'sWestern Fleetescorts the aircraft carriersINSViraatandINSVikramadityathrough the Arabian Sea in 2014.

Indian Navy has operated all types of aircraft carriers includingCATOBARconfiguredVikrant,STOVLconfiguredViraatandSTOBARconfiguredVikramadityaandVikrant (2013)and CBGs centered on it. TheIndian Navyhas been operating carrier battle groups since 1961, with its first carrier battle group formed around the now decommissionedINSVikrant.INSViraatwas an updatedCentaur-class light carrier originally built for the Royal Navy asHMSHermes,which was laid down in 1944 and commissioned in 1959. It was purchased by India in May 1987, and was decommissioned in March 2017. India commissionedINSVikramadityain 2013 followed by the newINSVikrantin 2022.INSVikramadityais the modifiedKiev-classaircraft carrierAdmiral Gorshkov,INSVikrantis the first indigenous aircraft carrier built in India. India plans to have three carrier battle groups by 2035, each centered onVikrant,VikramadityaandVishal,another planned carrier.As of 2023, the Indian Navy operates two carrier battle groups centered on INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant.

The Indian Navy's carrier battle group centered onViraatconsisted of two destroyers, usually of theDelhiclass(previouslyRajputswere used), two or more frigates, usually of theBrahmaputra,GodavariorNilgiriclasses, and one support ship.

The navy's new carrier battle group centered onVikramaditya and Vikrantconsists of the modernKolkataclassguided missile destroyers,ShivalikandTalwar-class guided missile frigates,Kamorta-classanti-submarine warfarecorvettes andnew tankers.INSChakrais expected to fill the sub-surface component.

Italy

The CVS–ASW (Aircraft Carrier with Anti-Submarine Warfare)Italian aircraft carrierGiuseppe Garibaldiis Italy's first carrier. The battle group based in Taranto called COMFORAL is formed by the carrierGiuseppe Garibaldi,twoDurand de la Penne-classdestroyers,two support shipsEtnaandElettra,and three amphibious/support ships (San Giusto,San MarcoandSan Giorgio).

After 2010, the Italian battle group will be formed by the newItalian aircraft carrierCavour,5–6 new warships (including destroyersHorizonand frigates FREMM),one new support ship, some minehunters and new submarines (the COMFORAL will be a reserve group).

Russia

Admiral Kuznetsovhas been observed sailing together with aKirov-classbattlecruiser (CBGN),Slava-classcruiser(CG),Sovremenny-classdestroyer (ASuW),Udaloy-classdestroyer (ASW) andKrivakI/II FFG (ASW).These escorts, especially the heavily armedKirov-class battlecruiser, use advanced sensors and carry a variety of weaponry. DuringAdmiral Kuznetsov's deployment toSyriain November 2016 on her first combat tour, the carrier was escorted by a pair ofUdaloy-class destroyersand aKirov-class battlecruiseren route, while additional Russian Navy warships met her off Syria.

Admiral Kuznetsovis designed specifically to sail alone and carries greater firepower than her U.S. counterparts. This includes 12xSS-N-19 'Shipwreck'(long range, high speed,sea-skimming) SSMs, 24x VLS units loaded with 192SA-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 8 missiles carried by theNimitz-class,Admiral Kuznetsovis well armed for both air-defence and offensive operations against hostile shipping.

United Kingdom

Main article:UK Carrier Strike Group

HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08)and herCarrier Strike Groupduring Exercise Westlant 19.

As one of the pioneers of aircraft carriers, the Royal Navy has maintained a carrier strike capability since the commissioning ofHMSArgus(I49)in 1918.However, the capability was temporarily lost between 2010 and 2018, following the retirement of theInvincible-class aircraft carrierandHarrier GR9s.During this period, the Royal Navy worked to regenerate its carrier strike capability based on the Carrier-Enabled Power Projection (CEPP) concept by ordering twoQueen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriersand theF-35B Lightningto operate from them.To maintain its skills and experience, the Royal Navy embedded personnel and ships with partner navies, in particular theUnited States Navy.

In 2017, the firstQueen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrierHMSQueen Elizabethentered service followed by her sister shipHMSPrince of Walesin 2019. The first carrier strike group took to sea in September 2019 as part of an exercise known asWestlant 19.HMSQueen Elizabethand her air group of F-35B Lightning jets operated alongside two surface escorts and a fleet tanker off the east coast of the United States.The deployment was in preparation for the first operational deployment in 2021, which is expected to involve HMSQueen Elizabethalongside four Royal Navy escorts, two support ships and a submarine.

Under current plans, a Royal Navy carrier strike group will typically comprise aQueen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier, two air defence destroyers, two anti-submarine frigates, a submarine, solid stores ship and a fleet tanker, however the composition varies depending on the operational tasking. WhileQueen Elizabeth's initial deployment will be as part of an all-British carrier group, it is envisaged in the longer term that the UK's carriers will usually form the centre of a multi-national operation – in 2018, it was announced that the British and Dutch governments had come to an agreement that would see escort vessels of theRoyal Netherlands Navyoperating as part of the UK Carrier Strike Group.Command of the UK carrier strike group is the responsibility ofCommander United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group.A June 2020National Audit Officereport however provided a critical review of the forthcoming Carrier Strike Group, especially noting the delay to the Crowsnest system.

United States

Carrier strike group

USSGeorge WashingtonCarrier Strike Groupsails in formation for a strike group photo in theCaribbean Sea29 April 2006. Such a formation, referred to derisively as the "bullseye" formation, would not be used in combat.

Inmodern United States Navy carrier air operations,acarrier strike group(CSG) normally consists of 1 aircraft carrier, 1guided missile cruiser(for air defense), 2LAMPS-capablewarships (focusing on anti-submarine and surface warfare), and 1–2 anti-submarinedestroyersorfrigates.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 forblue-wateroperations and for safeguarding supply lines between the United States and Europe, while theNATOallies assumed responsibility for less costlybrown- andgreen-wateroperations. The CSG has replaced the old term of carrier battle group (CVBG or CARBATGRU).The US Navy maintains 11 carrier strike groups,10 of which are based in the United States andonethat is forward deployed inYokosuka,Japan.

Expeditionary strike group

Anexpeditionary strike groupis composed of anamphibious assault ship(LHA/LHD), adock landing ship(LSD), anamphibious transport dock(LPD), aMarine expeditionary unit,AV-8B Harrier IIor, more recentlyLockheed Martin F-35B Lightning IIaircraft,CH-53E Super StallionandCH-46E Sea Knighthelicopters or, more recently,MV-22Btiltrotors. Cruisers, destroyers and attack submarines are deployed with either an Expeditionary Strike Group or a Carrier Strike Group.

Battleship battle group

During the period when the American navy recommissioned all four of itsIowa-classbattleships,it sometimes used a similar formation centered on abattleship,referred to as a battleship battle group. It was alternately referred to as a surface action group.

The battleship battle group typically consisted of one modernizedbattleship,oneTiconderoga-classcruiser,oneKidd-classdestroyerorArleigh Burke-classdestroyer, oneSpruance-classdestroyer, threeOliver Hazard Perry-classfrigatesand oneauxiliary shipsuch as areplenishment oiler.

Surface action group

A surface action group is "a temporary or standing organization of combatant ships, other than carriers, tailored for a specific tactical mission".

Underway replenishment

Since its origins, the viability of the carrier battle group has been 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 conductunderway replenishmentto 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 afast combat support ship(AOE) orreplenishment 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 fueling hoses and lines are delivering other goods.

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 firepower and force projection capabilities. Opponents argue that CVBGs are increasingly vulnerable toarsenal shipsandcruise missiles,especially those withsupersonicor even hypersonic flightand the ability to perform radical trajectory changes to avoid anti-missile systems. It is also noted 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 asCooperative Engagement Capability(CEC), DEW technology and missile technology.

Additionally, carrier battle groups proved to be vulnerable todiesel-electric submarinesowned by many smallernaval forces.Examples are the GermanU24of the conventional206 classwhich in 2001 "sank"USSEnterpriseduring the exercise JTFEX 01-2 in theCaribbean Seaby firingflaresand taking a photograph through itsperiscopeor the SwedishGotlandwhich managed the same feat in 2006 during JTFEX 06-2 by penetrating the defensive measures ofCarrier Strike Group 7undetected and snap several pictures ofUSSRonald Reagan.

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 forDesert Storm.Although the U.S. Air Force sent fighters such as theF-16to 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.

TheGlobal War on Terrorhas 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 the11 September terrorist attackson the U.S., carriers immediately headed to the Arabian Sea to supportOperation Enduring Freedomand took up station, building to a force of three carriers. Their steaming location was closer to the targets in Afghanistan than any land-based assets and thereby more responsive. TheUSSKitty Hawkwas adapted to be a support base forspecial operationshelicopters. Carriers were used again inOperation Iraqi Freedomand even provided aircraft to be based ashore on occasion and have done so periodically when special capabilities are needed. This precedent was established duringWorld War IIin theBattle of Guadalcanal.

Regardless of the debate over viability, the United States has made a major investment in the development of a new carrier class—theGerald R. Ford-classaircraft carriers(formerly designated CVN-X, or the X Carrier)—to replace the existingNimitz-classaircraft carriers.The newFord-class carriers are designed to be modular and are easily adaptable as technology and equipment needed on board changes.

See also

• Amphibious ready group
• Naval tactics
• U.S. Carrier Group tactics

Bibliography

• Lightbody, Andy; Poyer, Joe (1990).The Complete Book of U.S. Fighting Power.New York: Crown Publishers.ISBN978-0-51703-298-5.
• Morua, Michael L. (21 March 2000)."The Carrier Battle Group Force: An Operator's Perspective"(PDF).Engineering the Total Ship (ETS) 2000 Symposium.Gaithersburg, Maryland:National Institute of Standards & Technology.ADA376409.Archived(PDF)from the original on 1 December 2012.Retrieved28 October2010.

External links

• Carrier Battle Group– GlobalSecurity.org
• Current global location of active, proposed, and decommissioned carriers