A new report suggests America's aircraft carriers, long the backbone of U.S. military might, risk becoming ineffective in light of unfriendly countries who have developed technology to take them out,
CNN.com reports.
Over the past 20 years since the fall of the Soviet Union, America has refocused the type of aircraft it puts on carriers. After the United States lost seven carriers in World War II, long-range planes were put on the carriers so the ships could stay safer out at sea.
But the short-range planes were cheaper to operate and have since replaced them.
But a new report written by Jerry Hendrix of the Center for New American Security notes that countries such as China have developed long-range missile that can take out the carriers.
Russia, North Korea and Iran also are working on such weapons.
The missiles "seek to take advantage of the United States' decision to cede range and the deep strike mission capability and push American ships and aircraft back beyond their operating ranges," Hendrix told CNN.
The Navy defended its carriers and their planes, known as the "air wing," to remain relevant.
"A carrier is the only maritime force capable of executing the full range of military operations necessary to protect our national interests," Cmdr. William Marks told CNN.
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