View source for Carrier battle group

{{short description|Type of naval fleet with an aircraft carrier}}
{{about|the military formation in general|the specific formation used by the United States Navy|carrier strike group|other uses|battle group (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{more citations needed|date=August 2017}}
[[File:Abraham-Lincoln-battlegroup.jpg|thumb|300px|right|The {{USS|Abraham Lincoln|CVN-72|6}} carrier battle group during the 2000 [[RIMPAC]] exercise]]
{{Naval units}}
A '''carrier battle group''' ('''CVBG''') is a [[naval fleet]] consisting of an [[aircraft carrier]] [[capital ship]] and its large number of [[naval convoy|escorts]], together defining the group. The ''CV'' in ''CVBG'' (Cruiser ''Voler'') is the [[Hull classification symbol#Aircraft carrier type|United States Navy hull classification code for an aircraft carrier]].

The first naval [[task force]]s built around carriers appeared just prior to and during [[World War II]].  The [[Imperial Japanese Navy]] (IJN) was the first to assemble many carriers into a single task force, known as the ''[[Kido Butai]]''.  This task force was used with devastating effect in the [[Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor]].  The Kido Butai operated as the IJN's main carrier battle group until four of its carriers were sunk at the [[Battle of Midway]].  In contrast, the [[United States Navy]] deployed its large carriers in separate formations, with each carrier assigned its own [[cruiser]] and [[destroyer]] escorts.  These single-carrier formations would often be paired or grouped together for certain assignments, most notably the [[Battle of the Coral Sea]] and Midway.  By 1943, however, large numbers of fleet and light carriers became available, which required larger formations of three or four carriers.  These groups eventually formed the [[Fast Carrier Task Force]], which became the primary battle unit of the [[United States Third Fleet|U.S. Third]] and [[United States Fifth Fleet|Fifth Fleets]].

With the construction of the large "[[supercarrier]]s" of the [[Cold War era]], the practice of operating each carrier in a single formation was revived.  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 its [[NATO]] allies in Europe, while the role of the [[Soviet Navy]] would have been to interrupt these sea lanes, a fundamentally easier task.  Because the Soviet Union had no large carriers of its own, a situation of dueling aircraft carriers would have been unlikely.  However, a primary mission of the Soviet Navy's [[attack submarine]]s was to track every allied battle group and, on the outbreak of hostilities, sink the carriers.  Understanding this threat, the CVBG expended enormous resources in its own [[anti-submarine warfare]] mission.

== Carrier battle groups in crises ==
In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, most uses of carrier battle groups by the United States as well as that of other Western nations have been in situations where their use has been uncontested by other comparable forces.  During the Cold War, an important battle scenario was an attack against a CVBG using numerous [[anti-ship missile]]s.

===1956 Suez Crisis===
British and French carrier battle groups were involved in the [[1956 Suez Crisis]].

===1971 Indo-Pakistan war===
During the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]], India used its carrier strike group centered on {{INS|Vikrant|1961|6}} to impose a naval blockade on East Pakistan. Air strikes were carried out initially on shipping in the harbors of [[Chittagong]] and [[Cox's Bazar]], sinking or incapacitating most ships there. Further strikes were carried out on Cox's Bazar from 60 nautical miles (110&nbsp;km) offshore. On the evening of 4 December, the air group again struck Chittagong harbor. Later strikes targeted [[Khulna]] and the [[Port of Mongla]]. Air strikes continued until 10 December 1971.

===1982 Falklands War===
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The first attempted use of anti-ship missiles against a carrier battle group was part of [[Argentina]]'s efforts against British armed forces during the [[Falklands War]]. This was the last conflict so far in which opposing belligerents employed aircraft carriers, although Argentina made little use of its sole carrier, {{ship|ARA|Veinticinco de Mayo|V-2|6}}, which was originally built in the United Kingdom as HMS ''Venerable'' and later served with the [[Royal Netherlands Navy]] (1948–1968).

===Lebanon===
The [[United States Sixth Fleet]] assembled a force of three carrier battle groups and a [[battleship]] during the [[Lebanese Civil War]] in 1983. Daily reconnaissance flights were flown over the [[Bekaa Valley]] and a strike was flown against targets in the area resulting in loss of an [[A-6 Intruder]] and an [[A-7 Corsair II|A-7 Corsair]].

===Gulf of Sidra===
Carrier battle groups routinely operated in the [[Gulf of Sidra]] inside the "[[Line of Death]]" proclaimed by [[Libya]] resulting in aerial engagements in 1981, 1986 and 1989 between U.S. Navy Tomcats and Libyan [[Su-22]] aircraft, [[SA-5 Gammon|SA-5]] surface-to-air missiles and [[MiG-23]] fighters. During the 1986 clashes, three carrier battle groups deployed to the Gulf of Sidra and ultimately two of them conducted strikes against Libya in [[Operation El Dorado Canyon]].

===2011 military intervention in Libya===
During the [[2011 military intervention in Libya|international military intervention]] in the [[2011 Libyan civil war]], the [[French Navy]] deployed its aircraft carrier, {{ship|French aircraft carrier|Charles de Gaulle|R91|2}}, off [[Libya]]. The ''Charles de Gaulle'' was accompanied by several frigates as {{ship|French frigate|Forbin|D620|2}}, {{ship|French frigate|Dupleix|D641|2}}, {{ship|French frigate|Aconit|F 713|2}}, the replenishment tanker ''[[Durance-class tanker|Meuse]]'' and two {{sclass|Rubis|submarine|0}} nuclear attack submarines.<ref>[http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=6007194&c=EUR&s=AIR Defense News] {{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

==Applications==
===China===
China plans to set up [[Chinese aircraft carrier programme|several carrier battle groups in the future]].  At present China's two aircraft carriers, the [[Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning|''Liaoning'']] and [[Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong|''Shandong'']], use [[Type 055]] destroyers for [[Anti-aircraft warfare|area air defence]] with [[anti-submarine warfare]], [[Type 052C]] or [[Type 052D]] destroyers for [[air defense]], [[Type 054A]] frigates for [[anti-submarine]] and [[anti-ship warfare]], 1–2 [[Type 093]] [[nuclear attack submarine]]s, and 1 [[Type 901 fast combat support ship|Type 901]] supply ship.  China is currently building a [[Type 003 aircraft carrier|third carrier]], as well as a [[Type 004 aircraft carrier|nuclear-powered fourth carrier]] planned for construction<ref name="NewsCorpAustralia">{{cite news|url=https://www.news.com.au/technology/innovation/military/heres-what-we-know-about-chinas-newest-aircraft-carriers/news-story/7460539e54fe026976276dd4cbfaa2e1|title=Here's what we know about China's newest aircraft carriers|last=Seidel|first=Jamie|date=23 April 2018|work=[[news.com.au]]|access-date=19 June 2018}}</ref> and expected to be completed by the late 2020s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://globalriskinsights.com/2017/06/chinas-aircraft-carrier-naval-defence/|title=What China's Aircraft Carrier Means for its Naval Defence Capabilities|last=Tunningley|first=James|date=2 June 2017|work=[[globalriskinsights.com]]|access-date=5 January 2020|archive-date=12 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612213845/https://globalriskinsights.com/2017/06/chinas-aircraft-carrier-naval-defence/|url-status=dead}}</ref> China is also building a new larger class of air defense destroyers, the [[Type 055]].<ref name="janes_launch">{{cite web |last1=Rahmat |first1=Ridzwan |url=http://www.janes.com/article/71903/china-launches-largest-surface-combatant-to-date |title=China launches largest surface combatant to date |website=Janes |date=29 June 2017 |access-date=2 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701021523/http://www.janes.com/article/71903/china-launches-largest-surface-combatant-to-date |archive-date=1 July 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===France===
The only serving French carrier is the {{ship|French aircraft carrier|Charles de Gaulle|R91|2}}, which also serves as the flagship of the Marine Nationale. The carrier battle group of the [[Force d'Action Navale]] is known as the ''Groupe Aéronaval'' (GAN) and is usually composed, in addition to the aircraft carrier, of:
*a [[carrier air wing]] (Groupe Aérien Embarqué, GAE, in French), a complement composed of about 40 aircraft:
**[[Dassault Rafale|Rafale F3]] (up to 30)
**[[E-2 Hawkeye|E-2C Hawkeye]] (2)
**[[Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin|SA365 Dauphin]] (3) for RESCO and [[Eurocopter EC725|EC725 Caracal]] for CSAR (2)
*one {{sclass|Rubis|submarine}}
*two anti-submarine destroyers (currently [[FREMM multipurpose frigate|FREMM ASM]] or {{sclass|Georges Leygues|frigate|4}})
*one or two anti-air destroyers ({{sclass|Horizon|frigate|5}} or {{sclass|Cassard|frigate|4}})
*one stealth frigate in forward patrol (usually a {{sclass|La Fayette|frigate|4}})
*one supply ship (currently a {{sclass|Durance|tanker|2}})

This group is commanded by a rear admiral ([[Counter Admiral|contre-amiral]], in French) on board the aircraft carrier. The commanding officer of the air group (usually a {{lang|fr|capitaine de frégate}}—equivalent to commander) is subordinate to the commanding officer of the aircraft carrier, a senior captain. The escort destroyers (called frigates in the French denomination) are commanded by more junior captains.

France also operates three {{sclass|Mistral|amphibious assault ship|2}}<nowiki/>s. While incapable of operating fixed-winged aircraft, they function as helicopter carriers and form the backbone of France's amphibious force. These ships are typically escorted by the same escorts the ''Charles De Gaulle'' uses.

===India===
[[File:Twin carrier Demonstration by Indian Navy.jpg|thumb|Indian Navy's [[INS Vikrant|INS ''Vikrant'' (R-11)]] and [[INS Vikramaditya|INS ''Vikramaditya'' (R-33)]] aircraft carriers during twin-carrier demonstration in the Arabian Sea.]]
Indian Navy has operated all types of aircraft carriers including [[CATOBAR]] configured [[INS Vikrant (1961)|''Vikrant'']], [[STOVL]] configured [[INS Viraat|''Viraat'']] and [[STOBAR]] configured [[INS Vikramaditya|''Vikramaditya'']] and [[INS Vikrant (2013)|''Vikrant'' (2013)]] and CBGs centered on them. The [[Indian Navy]] has been operating carrier battle groups since 1961, with its first carrier battle group formed around the now decommissioned {{INS|Vikrant|1961|6}}.<ref name="ht9j14">{{cite news|title=INS Vikramaditya will create waves for India |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/comment/analysis/ins-vikramaditya-will-create-waves-for-india/article1-1170772.aspx |access-date=9 January 2014 |newspaper=Hindustan Times |date=9 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109051144/http://www.hindustantimes.com/comment/analysis/ins-vikramaditya-will-create-waves-for-india/article1-1170772.aspx |archive-date=9 January 2014 }}</ref> {{INS|Viraat}} was an updated [[Centaur-class aircraft carrier|''Centaur''-class light carrier]] originally built for the Royal Navy as {{HMS|Hermes|R12|6}}, which was laid down in 1944 and commissioned in 1959. It was purchased by India in May 1987, and was decommissioned in March 2017. India commissioned {{INS|Vikramaditya}} in 2013 followed by the new {{INS|Vikrant|2013|6}} in 2022.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/navy-confident-of-commissioning-aircraft-carrier-vikrant-in-two-years/article22474986.ece|title=Cochin Shipyard undocks INS Vikrant|newspaper=The Hindu|date=19 January 2018|last1=Peri|first1=Dinakar}}</ref> INS ''Vikramaditya'' is the modified {{sclass|Kiev|aircraft carrier}} {{ship|Soviet aircraft carrier|Admiral Gorshkov||2}}, INS ''Vikrant'' is the first indigenous aircraft carrier built in India. India plans to have three carrier battle groups by 2035, each centered on ''[[INS Vikrant (2013)|Vikrant]]'', [[INS Vikramaditya|''Vikramaditya'']] and {{INS|Vishal||6}}, another planned carrier.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/brand-new-indian-navy-with-long-legs-by-2027-verma/208124-3.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111206042512/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/brand-new-indian-navy-with-long-legs-by-2027-verma/208124-3.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 December 2011|title=News18.com: CNN News18 Latest News, Breaking News India, Current News Headlines|website=News18|access-date=27 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/Carrier-battle-groups-will-add-muscle-to-Navy-power/articleshow/1086252.cms |title = Carrier battle groups will add muscle to Navy power |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025150719/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-01-08/rest-of-world/27886608_1_carrier-battle-aircraft-carrier-admiral-gorshkov |archive-date=25 October 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2023, the Indian Navy operates two carrier battle groups centred on INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant.

The Indian Navy's carrier battle group centred on ''Viraat'' consisted of two destroyers, usually of the {{sclass|Delhi|destroyer|4}} (previously {{sclass|Rajput|destroyer|5}}s), two or more frigates, usually of the {{sclass|Brahmaputra|frigate|5}}, [[Godavari-class frigate|''Godavari'']] or [[Nilgiri-class frigate (1972)|''Nilgiri'' classes]], and one support ship.<ref name="inty4d">{{cite news|title=Navy's modern dreams set sail|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/indian-navy-ins-vikramaditya-navy-day-drdo-mbt-arjun-general-raheel-sharif-nak-browne/1/327737.html|access-date=5 December 2013|newspaper=India Today|date=4 December 2013}}</ref>

The Carrier Battle Group (CBG) led by INS ''Vikramaditya'' includes [[Kolkata-class destroyer|Kolkata-class destroyers]], [[Talwar-class frigate|Talwar-class frigates]] and [[INS Deepak (A50)|INS Deepak]] among others.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Bose |first=Mrityunjay |title=Indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant joins Western Fleet |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/indigenous-aircraft-carrier-ins-vikrant-joins-western-fleet-3199604 |access-date=2024-09-20 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Deshpande |first=Smruti |date=2024-09-20 |title=Indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant joins Navy's Western Fleet, ready for deployment |url=https://theprint.in/defence/indigenous-aircraft-carrier-ins-vikrant-joins-navys-western-fleet-ready-for-deployment/2276640/ |access-date=2024-09-21 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite tweet |number=1837044775918117070 |user=IN_WNC |title=#INSVikrant, India's indigenous aircraft carrier, joined the @IN_WesternFleet, in a significant enhancement to the maritime power and reach of the #IndianNavy’s ‘Sword Arm’... |date=2024-09-20 |access-date=2024-09-21}}</ref> While the independent CBG of INS ''Vikrant'' is expected to consist of [[Visakhapatnam-class destroyer|Visakhapatnam-class destroyers]], [[Nilgiri-class frigate (2019)|Nilgiri-class frigates]] and [[Kamorta-class corvette|''Kamorta''-class corvettes]] and [[INS Shakti (A57)|INS Shakti]].<ref>{{cite news|title=India to Induct Indigenous Anti-sub Corvette Soon|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/India-to-Induct-Indigenous-Anti-sub-Corvette-Soon/2014/07/05/article2315253.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709190014/http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/India-to-Induct-Indigenous-Anti-sub-Corvette-Soon/2014/07/05/article2315253.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 July 2014|access-date=5 July 2014|newspaper=The New Indian Express|date=5 July 2014}}</ref><ref name="delh-rebase">{{cite web |last=Bhattacharjee |first=Sumit |date=2021-12-04 |title=Eastern Fleet will have Carrier Battle Group: Vice Admiral |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/eastern-fleet-will-have-carrier-battle-group-vice-admiral/article37833874.ece/amp/ |work=The Hindu}}</ref>

===Italy===
The CVS–ASW (Aircraft Carrier with Anti-Submarine Warfare) {{ship|Italian aircraft carrier|Giuseppe Garibaldi|551|6}} is Italy's first carrier. The battle group based in Taranto called COMFORAL is formed by the carrier ''Giuseppe Garibaldi'', two {{sclass|Durand de la Penne|destroyer}}s, two support ships ''Etna'' and ''Elettra'', and three amphibious/support ships (''San Giusto'', ''San Marco'' and ''San Giorgio'').

After 2010, the Italian battle group will be formed by the new {{ship|Italian aircraft carrier|Cavour|550|6}}, 5–6 new warships (including destroyers ''Horizon'' and frigates FREMM),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Marina Militare |url=https://www.marina.difesa.it/_layouts/15/MMIV2-Layouts/pages/MMI.GalleriaFullscreen.aspx?PageId=a0d67416-498a-4c18-a4b9-38961e11885b&Guid=c12a32fb-bf42-476e-81c6-a4c92fd074c1 |access-date=2023-02-03 |website=www.marina.difesa.it |language=it}}</ref> one new support ship, some minehunters and new submarines (the COMFORAL will be a reserve group).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.camera.it/cartellecomuni/leg15/RapportoAttivitaCommissioni/commissioni/allegati/04/04_all_appnavi.pdf|title=New ships of the Italian battle group (in Italian)|access-date=27 August 2017|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030259/http://www.camera.it/cartellecomuni/leg15/RapportoAttivitaCommissioni/commissioni/allegati/04/04_all_appnavi.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Russia===
''Admiral Kuznetsov'' has been observed sailing together with a {{sclass|Kirov|battlecruiser|2}} (CBGN), {{sclass|Slava|cruiser}} (CG), {{sclass|Sovremenny|destroyer|2}} (ASuW), {{sclass|Udaloy|destroyer|2}} (ASW) and [[Krivak-class frigate|''Krivak'' I/II FFG (ASW)]]. These escorts, especially the heavily armed ''Kirov''-class battlecruiser, use advanced sensors and carry a variety of weaponry. During ''Admiral Kuznetsov''{{'}}s deployment to [[Russian military intervention in Syria|Syria]] in November 2016 on her first combat tour, the carrier was escorted by a pair of [[Udaloy-class destroyer]]s and a [[Kirov-class battlecruiser]] en route, while additional Russian Navy warships met her off Syria.

''Admiral Kuznetsov'' is designed specifically to sail alone and carries greater firepower than her U.S. counterparts. This includes 12x [[P-700 Granit|SS-N-19 'Shipwreck']] (long range, high speed, [[sea-skimming]]) SSMs, 24x VLS units loaded with 192 [[Tor missile system|SA-N-9 'Gauntlet' SAMs]], and 8x Kashtan CIWS with dual 30&nbsp;mm guns, and 8x AK-630 CIWS. Compared to the 4x Phalanx CIWS and 4x Sea Sparrow launchers, each with 8 missiles carried by the ''Nimitz''-class, ''Admiral Kuznetsov'' is well armed for both air-defence and offensive operations against hostile shipping.

===United Kingdom===
{{main|UK Carrier Strike Group}}
[[File:HMS Queen Elizabeth Carrier Strike Group during Westlant 19.jpg|thumb|[[HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08)]] and her [[Carrier Strike Group]] during Exercise Westlant 19.]]
As one of the pioneers of aircraft carriers, the Royal Navy has maintained a carrier strike capability since the commissioning of {{HMS|Argus|I49}} in 1918.<ref>{{cite book |title=Jane's Naval Airpower: The Complete History |date=1 September 2003 |publisher=Collins-Janes |isbn=9780007111527 |quote=The Royal Navy pioneered the use of aircraft carriers during World War I, but famously lost Prince of Wales and Repulse to land based Japanese bombers in 1941.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Aircraft carrier: A mind-boggling building job |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12308437 |agency=BBC News |date=7 April 2011 |quote=The Royal Navy pioneered carriers, explains Hewitt, head of attractions and collections at the Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust.}}</ref> However, the capability was temporarily lost between 2010 and 2018, following the retirement of the {{sclass|Invincible|aircraft carrier|1}} and [[British Aerospace Harrier II|Harrier GR9]]s.<ref>{{cite news |title=Britain moves to restore carrier strike capability with warship commissioning |url=https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2017/12/07/britain-moves-to-restore-carrier-strike-capability-with-warship-commissioning/ |agency=Defense News |date=7 December 2017}}</ref> During this period, the Royal Navy worked to regenerate its carrier strike capability based on the Carrier-Enabled Power Projection (CEPP) concept by ordering two [[Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier|''Queen Elizabeth''-class aircraft carriers]] and the [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|F-35B Lightning]] to operate from them.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Royal Navy Is Going All In on Aircraft Carriers |url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/royal-navy-going-all-aircraft-carriers-86716 |agency=National Interest |date=9 October 2019}}</ref> To maintain its skills and experience, the Royal Navy embedded personnel and ships with partner navies, in particular the [[United States Navy]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Royal Navy Carrier Strike Group Put to the Test |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2017/january/19/170119-royal-navy-carrier-strike-group-put-to-the-test |agency=Royal Navy |date=19 January 2017}}</ref>

In 2017, the first ''Queen Elizabeth''-class aircraft carrier {{HMS|Queen Elizabeth|R08|6}} entered service followed by her sister ship {{HMS|Prince of Wales|R09|6}} in 2019. The first carrier strike group took to sea in September 2019 as part of an exercise known as ''Westlant 19''. HMS ''Queen Elizabeth'' and her air group of F-35B Lightning jets operated alongside two surface escorts and a fleet tanker off the east coast of the United States.<ref>{{cite news |title=HMS Queen Elizabeth's Carrier Task Group Takes Shape |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2019/september/26/190926-westlant-carrier-strike-group |agency=Royal Navy |date=26 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=UK begins 'Westlant 19' carrier deployment |url=https://www.janes.com/article/90762/uk-begins-westlant-19-carrier-deployment |agency=Janes |date=30 August 2019}}</ref> The deployment was in preparation for the first operational deployment in 2021, which is expected to involve HMS ''Queen Elizabeth'' alongside four Royal Navy escorts, two support ships and a submarine.<ref>{{cite news |title=HMS Queen Elizabeth Carrier Strike Group to deploy next year |url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/hms-queen-elizabeth-carrier-strike-group-to-deploy-in-2021/ |agency=UK Defence Journal |date=1 February 2020}}</ref>

Under current plans, a Royal Navy carrier strike group will typically comprise a ''Queen Elizabeth''-class aircraft carrier, two air defence destroyers, two anti-submarine frigates, a submarine, solid stores ship and a fleet tanker, however the composition varies depending on the operational tasking. While ''Queen Elizabeth'''s initial deployment will be as part of an all-British carrier group, it is envisaged in the longer term that the UK's carriers will usually form the centre of a multi-national operation – in 2018, it was announced that the British and Dutch governments had come to an agreement that would see escort vessels of the [[Royal Netherlands Navy]] operating as part of the UK Carrier Strike Group.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forces.net/news/hms-queen-elizabeths-first-deployment-be-alongside-dutch-warship |title=HMS Queen Elizabeth's First Operational Deployment To Be Alongside Dutch Warship |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=24 October 2018 |website=Forces.net |access-date=26 October 2018 }}</ref> Command of the UK carrier strike group is the responsibility of [[Commander United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group]]. A June 2020 [[National Audit Office (United Kingdom)|National Audit Office]] report however provided a critical review of the forthcoming Carrier Strike Group, especially noting the delay to the Crowsnest system.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/007678-001-Carrier-Strike-preparing-for-deployment.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629082857/https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/007678-001-Carrier-Strike-preparing-for-deployment.pdf |archive-date=2020-06-29 |url-status=live |title=Carrier Strike Preparing for Deployment |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=26 June 2020 |website=nao.org.uk |publisher=UK National Audit Office |access-date=19 July 2020 }}</ref>

===United States===
====Carrier strike group====
{{Main|Carrier strike group}}
[[Image:George Washington Carrier Strike Group.jpg|thumb|USS ''George Washington'' [[Carrier Strike Group]] sails in formation for a strike group photo in the [[Caribbean Sea]] 29 April 2006.  Such a formation, referred to derisively as the "bullseye" formation, would not be used in combat.]]
In [[modern United States Navy carrier air operations]], a [[carrier strike group]] (CSG) normally consists of 1 aircraft carrier, 1 [[guided missile cruiser]] (for air defense), 2 [[light airborne multi-purpose system|LAMPS]]-[[helicopter carrier|capable]] warships (focusing on anti-submarine and surface warfare), and 1–2 anti-submarine [[destroyer]]s or [[frigate]]s.<ref>{{cite web|author=USS George Washington Public Affairs|date=21 August 2008|title=USS George Washington Departs for Japan|url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=39259|access-date=2 November 2012|publisher=Navy.mil|archive-date=8 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108080059/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=39259|url-status=dead}}</ref> The large number of CSGs used by the United States reflects, in part, a division of roles and missions allotted during the Cold War, in which the United States assumed primary responsibility for [[blue-water navy|blue-water]] operations and for safeguarding supply lines between the United States and Europe, while the [[NATO]] allies assumed responsibility for less costly [[brown-water navy|brown]]- and [[green-water navy|green-water]] operations. The CSG has replaced the old term of carrier battle group (CVBG or CARBATGRU).{{when|date=March 2019}}  The US Navy maintains 11 carrier strike groups,{{clarify timeframe|date=March 2016}} 10 of which are based in the United States and [[Carrier Strike Group 5|one]] that is forward deployed in [[United States Fleet Activities Yokosuka|Yokosuka]], Japan.

====Expeditionary strike group====
An [[expeditionary strike group]] is composed of an [[amphibious assault ship]] ([[landing helicopter assault|LHA]]/[[landing helicopter dock|LHD]]), a [[dock landing ship]] (LSD), an [[amphibious transport dock]] (LPD), a [[Marine expeditionary unit]], [[McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II|AV-8B Harrier II]] or, more recently [[Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II]] aircraft, [[Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion|CH-53E Super Stallion]] and [[Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight|CH-46E Sea Knight]] helicopters or, more recently, [[Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey|MV-22B]] tiltrotors.  Cruisers, destroyers and attack submarines are deployed with either an Expeditionary Strike Group or a Carrier Strike Group.

====Battleship battle group====
During the period when the American navy recommissioned all four of its {{sclass|Iowa|battleship}}s, it sometimes used a similar formation centered on a [[battleship]], referred to as a battleship battle group.  It was alternately referred to as a surface action group.

The battleship battle group typically consisted of one modernized [[battleship]], one {{sclass|Ticonderoga|cruiser}}, one {{sclass|Kidd|destroyer}} or {{sclass|Arleigh Burke|destroyer|2}}, one {{sclass|Spruance|destroyer|2}}, three {{sclass|Oliver Hazard Perry|frigate}}s and one [[auxiliary ship]] such as a [[replenishment oiler]].<ref>Lightbody and Poyer, pp. 338–339.</ref>

====Surface action group====
A surface action group is "a temporary or standing organization of combatant ships, other than carriers, tailored for a specific tactical mission".<ref>''Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms''. S.v. "[https://www.thefreedictionary.com/surface+action+group surface action group]". Retrieved 12 November 2018.</ref>

==Underway replenishment==

Since its origins, the viability of the carrier battle group has been dependent on its ability to remain at sea for extended periods. Specialized ships were developed to provide underway replenishment of fuel (for the carrier and its aircraft), ordnance, and other supplies necessary to sustain operations. Carrier battle groups devote a great deal of planning to efficiently conduct [[underway replenishment]] to minimize the time spent conducting replenishment. The carrier can also provide replenishment on a limited basis to its escorts, but typically a replenishment ship such as a [[fast combat support ship]] (AOE) or [[replenishment oiler]] (AOR) pulls alongside a carrier and conducts simultaneous operations with the carrier on its port side and one of the escorts on its starboard side. The advent of the helicopter provides the ability to speed replenishment by lifting supplies at the same time that fueling hoses and lines are delivering other goods.

==Debate on future viability==
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 firepower and force projection capabilities. Opponents argue that CVBGs are increasingly vulnerable to [[arsenal ship]]s and [[cruise missile]]s, especially those with [[supersonic]] or even hypersonic flight<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sploid.gizmodo.com/are-the-us-navy-supercarriers-useless-1484497670|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131218031140/http://sploid.gizmodo.com/are-the-us-navy-supercarriers-useless-1484497670|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 December 2013|title=The future of naval warfare: Are US supercarriers useless?|first=Jesus|last=Diaz|date=17 December 2013|access-date=27 August 2017}}</ref> and the ability to perform radical trajectory changes to avoid anti-missile systems. It is also noted that CVBGs were designed for Cold War scenarios, and are less useful in establishing control of areas close to shore. It is argued however that such missiles and arsenal ships pose no serious threat as they would be eliminated due to increasing improvement in ship defenses such as [[Cooperative Engagement Capability]] (CEC), DEW technology and missile technology.

Additionally, carrier battle groups proved to be vulnerable to [[diesel-electric submarine]]s owned by many smaller [[naval force]]s. Examples are the German ''U24'' of the conventional [[Type 206 submarine|206 class]] which in 2001 "sank" [[USS Enterprise (CVN-65)|USS ''Enterprise'']] during the exercise JTFEX 01-2 in the [[Caribbean Sea]] by firing [[flare]]s and taking a photograph through its [[periscope]]<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.t-online.de/nachrichten/militaer-special/id_61572852/militaer-deutsches-u-boot-fordert-us-marine-heraus-.html | publisher=t-online | title=Deutsches U-Boot fordert US-Marine heraus | date=6 January 2013 | access-date=18 December 2020 | language=de}}</ref> or the Swedish ''[[HSwMS Gotland (Gtd)|Gotland]]'' which managed the same feat in 2006 during JTFEX 06-2 by penetrating the defensive measures of [[Carrier Strike Group 7]] undetected and snap several pictures of {{USS|Ronald Reagan}}.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.knbc.com/news/10116514/detail.html | publisher=KNBC | title=Pentagon: New Class Of Silent Submarines Poses Threat | date=19 October 2006 | access-date=21 July 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071116120858/http://www.knbc.com/news/10116514/detail.html |archive-date=16 November 2007}}</ref>

However, carriers have been called upon to be first responders even when conventional land-based aircraft were employed. During Desert Shield, the U.S. Navy sortied additional carriers to augment the on-station assets, eventually maintaining six carriers for [[Desert Storm]]. Although the U.S. Air Force sent fighters such as the [[F-16]] to theater in Desert Shield, they had to carry bombs with them as no stores were in place for sustained operations, whereas the carriers arrived on scene with full magazines and had support ships to allow them to conduct strikes indefinitely.

The [[War on Terrorism|Global War on Terror]] has shown the flexibility and responsiveness of the carrier on multiple occasions when land-based air was not feasible or able to respond in a timely fashion. After the [[September 11, 2001 attacks|11 September terrorist attacks]] on the U.S., carriers immediately headed to the Arabian Sea to support [[Operation Enduring Freedom]] and took up station, building to a force of three carriers. Their steaming location was closer to the targets in Afghanistan than any land-based assets and thereby more responsive. The {{USS|Kitty Hawk|CV-63|6}} was adapted to be a support base for [[special operations]] helicopters. Carriers were used again in [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]] and even provided aircraft to be based ashore on occasion and have done so periodically when special capabilities are needed. This precedent was established during [[World War II]] in the [[Battle of Guadalcanal]].

Regardless of the debate over viability, the United States has made a major investment in the development of a new carrier class—the {{sclass|Gerald R. Ford|aircraft carrier|}}s (formerly designated CVN-X, or the X Carrier)—to replace the existing {{sclass|Nimitz|aircraft carrier}}s. The new ''Ford''-class carriers are designed to be modular and are easily adaptable as technology and equipment needed on board changes.<ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/cvx.htm CVX Next Generation Aircraft Carrier], globalsecurity.org</ref>

==See also==
* [[Amphibious ready group]]
* [[Naval tactics]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book |last1=Lightbody |first1=Andy |last2=Poyer |first2=Joe |author-link= |date=1990 |title=The Complete Book of U.S. Fighting Power |url= |location=New York |publisher=Crown Publishers |isbn=978-0-51703-298-5}}
* {{cite journal |last= Morua |first= Michael L. |date= 21 March 2000 |title= The Carrier Battle Group Force: An Operator's Perspective |journal= Engineering the Total Ship (ETS) 2000 Symposium |publisher= [[National Institute of Standards & Technology]] |location= [[Gaithersburg, Maryland]] |id= ADA376409 |url= https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA376409.pdf |access-date= 28 October 2010 |archive-date= 1 December 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121201210820/http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA376409&Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf |url-status= live }}

==External links==
{{Naval units}}
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/batgru.htm Carrier Battle Group] – GlobalSecurity.org
* [http://gonavy.jp/CVLocation.html Current global location of active, proposed, and decommissioned carriers]

{{Military and war}}

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[[Category:Escort ships| ]]
[[Category:Aircraft carriers]]
[[Category:Naval warfare]]
[[Category:Naval units and formations by size]]
[[Category:Naval units and formations]]