The Air Force’s Crazy 747 Aircraft Carrier Concept

[VCheng]

Again sir, for fuel there are IFR.


Weapons is the only thing but the question is really about working a cost to benefit analysis. Will it be better to send in an extra aircraft, thus more weapons rather than operating such a replenishment plane near hostile land? Will the investment in developing a new gen of planes that can be launched and recovered from such a mother ship worth the investment compared to the benefit of weapon replenishment. Are long range missiles and heavy bombers a more cost effective solution. So far, it seem the answer to these is not in favor of any such project as described in OP.

Oh I agree with you that such a project will likely not be cost effective. I was merely making the point that there is more than IFR that can be achieved by such carrier aircraft, although, as you point out, probably not cost-effectively.

 

[Arsalan]

Oh I agree with you that such a project will likely not be cost effective. I was merely making the point that there is more than IFR that can be achieved by such carrier aircraft, although, as you point out, probably not cost-effectively.

Yes, weapon replenishment is what it will offer. But as you know, costs wont ever be overlooked! It is most likely that sending in extra planes with more payload will be better and smarted choice so.....