Carrier battle group
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The Abraham Lincoln battle group during the 2000 RIMPAC exercises |
A
carrier battle group (
CVBG or CARBATGRU) or
carrier strike group (
CVSG) is a fleet of ships in support of an
aircraft carrier. Such groups are primarily used by the
United States Navy, which has 12 carrier battle groups scattered across the world. 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 large number of CVBGs used by the United States reflects, in part, a division of labor 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.
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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. |
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).
CVBGs have no definitive specification and are formed and dissolved on an ad-hoc basis, and one may be different from another. However, they all comprise similar types of ships, and a typical U.S. carrier battle group might include:
* a carrier, usually
Nimitz-class or
Kitty Hawk-class — 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.
* two
guided missile cruisers, usually
Ticonderoga class — multi-mission surface combatants, equipped with
Tomahawk missiles for long-range strike capability.
* two to three
guided missile destroyers, usually
Arleigh Burke-class — multi-mission surface combatant, used primarily for anti-air warfare (AAW) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW)
* a
frigate, usually
Oliver Hazard Perry-class — primarily for anti-submarine warfare (ASW)
* two attack
submarines, usually
Los Angeles-class — in a direct support role seeking out and destroying hostile surface ships and submarines
* a combined ammunition,
oiler, and
supply ship, usually
Sacramento or
Supply class — provides logistic support enabling the Navy's forward presence: on station, ready to respond
The Carrier Battle Group (CVBG) could be employed in a variety of roles, most of which would involve the gaining and maintenance of sea control:
* Protection of economic and/or military shipping.
* Protection of a
Marine 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.
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 Midway.
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. Because the Soviet Union had no large carriers of its own, a situation of duelling aircraft carriers would have been unlikely. The main scenario of interest would have been an attack against a CVBG using large number of anti-ship
cruise missiles. The attempted use of anti-ship missiles against a carrier group was part of
Argentina's efforts against
Britain in the
Falklands War.
In the late
20th and early
21st centuries, most of the uses of CVBGs by the United States have been in situations in which their use has been uncontested. 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). There is a consensus among observers that most of the military effort expended by the
People's Liberation Army since the 1990s has been to at least complicate the deployment of a CVBG in a
Taiwan straits conflict.
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.
See also
Modern naval tactics.
