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They had higher range and precision than naval guns, making them highly effective. The advent of aircraft as primary weapons was driven by the superior range, flexibility and effectiveness of carrier-launched aircraft. The aircraft carrier dramatically changed naval combat in the war, as air power became a significant factor in warfare. Catapult aircraft merchant ship's, were cargo-carrying merchant ships that could launch (but not retrieve) a single fighter aircraft from a catapult to defend the convoy from long range German aircraft. Most of the latter were built from mercantile hulls or, in the case of merchant aircraft carriers, were bulk cargo ships with a flight deck added on top. Escort carriers were smaller and slower, with low numbers of aircraft, and provided defense for convoys. Light aircraft carrier's were fast enough to operate with the fleet but smaller and with fewer aircraft. Fleet carriers were the largest type, operating with the main fleet to provided offensive capability. By the Second World War aircraft carriers had evolved from converted cruisers, to purpose built vessels of many classes and roles. Aircraft carriers are expensive and are considered critical assets. Typically, they are the capital ships of a fleet, as they project air power worldwide without depending on local bases for operational support.

This is a list of aircraft carriers of the Second World War.Īircraft carriers serve as a seagoing airbases, equipped with a flight deck and facilities for carrying, arming, deploying and recovering aircraft.