SsgtC
Banned
Is there any way to keep the Essex class carriers serving as CVAs into the 1980s? The late 1980s specifically? I know not all were suited for the roll (specifically the SCB-27A ships as they had hydraulic catapults verses steam cats on the -27C ships), but could those that were be retained in a strike roll through, say, 88/89? I know that's pushing, since they'll all be 40+ years old by then, but could they? I'm thinking maybe they get used for police actions/low intensity conflicts or used for convoy escort in a Cold War gone hot scenario.
I'm thinking maybe if there were more brushfire wars around the globe requiring the Navy to keep power projection forces in more places. Conflicts big enough to warrant the deployment or naval air power, but not enough to send a super carrier. Alternatively, a worse Cold War requiring the Navy to keep as many decks as possible could be an option. More foreign navies having an interest in operating one or two decks couple also help. Maybe the US offers a -27A Essex to Australia (with an agreement to upgrade the ship to -27C standard)?
And lastly, could the Essex operate the Hornet if they are retained in service past 1983? OTL, they flew F-8 Crusaders which had a max take off weight of 34,000 pounds. The Phantom and Intruder were considered to heavy to fly from the Essex class at 61,900 pounds. The F/A-18A has a max take off weight from a carrier of 51,900 pounds per the NATOPS manual. However, it also has twice the thrust of the earlier Crusader. Could it safely operate from an Essex? Size wise, the aircraft are similar. The F-8 is 54' long, the F-18 is 56'. Both are just over 15' tall (15'3" for the Hornet, 15'9" for the Crusader). With wings folded, the Hornet is 27'6" wide (only a foot wide than the much smaller Skyhawk).
I'm thinking maybe if there were more brushfire wars around the globe requiring the Navy to keep power projection forces in more places. Conflicts big enough to warrant the deployment or naval air power, but not enough to send a super carrier. Alternatively, a worse Cold War requiring the Navy to keep as many decks as possible could be an option. More foreign navies having an interest in operating one or two decks couple also help. Maybe the US offers a -27A Essex to Australia (with an agreement to upgrade the ship to -27C standard)?
And lastly, could the Essex operate the Hornet if they are retained in service past 1983? OTL, they flew F-8 Crusaders which had a max take off weight of 34,000 pounds. The Phantom and Intruder were considered to heavy to fly from the Essex class at 61,900 pounds. The F/A-18A has a max take off weight from a carrier of 51,900 pounds per the NATOPS manual. However, it also has twice the thrust of the earlier Crusader. Could it safely operate from an Essex? Size wise, the aircraft are similar. The F-8 is 54' long, the F-18 is 56'. Both are just over 15' tall (15'3" for the Hornet, 15'9" for the Crusader). With wings folded, the Hornet is 27'6" wide (only a foot wide than the much smaller Skyhawk).