Aircraft Carriers - Volume 2

In the post-1945 era, the aircraft carrier has remained a valued weapon despite the development of nuclear weapons, cruise and ballistic missiles, and highly capable submarines. At times, as in the early days of the Korean and Vietnam Wars and in the Falklands conflict, carriers alone could deploy high-performance aircraft to the battlefield. In other operations, such as enforcing the no-fly zones and the U.S. invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, only carriers could provide the bases needed for sustained combat and support operations. This second volume of Norman Polmar's landmark study details the role of carriers in the unification of the U.S. armed forces and strategic deterrence, fiscally constrained Great Britain, the development of British Commonwealth and ex-colonial navies, and the efforts of France and the Netherlands to rebuild their fleets. The role of the modern carrier-nine nations currently possess them-is discussed, as are the issues confronting nations that might acquire them. Chapters on the Soviet Union's effort to produce carriers are included for the first time. The development of both carrier planes and the many"oddball" aircraft that have flown from carriers-such as the U-2 spy plane-are also examined. Appendixes include comprehensive data on all carriers built and converted through 2006.This volume is a valuable companion to the critically acclaimed Volume I, which covers aircraft carrier development and operations from 1909 to 1945.

"Filled to the brim with fascinating information and illustrated with hundreds of well-chosen photographs, the second volume of Norman Polmar's Aircraft Carriers will serve general readers and historians alike as a valuable reference source for many years to come."--Journal of Military History-- (5/18/2009 12:00:00 AM), "For the naval aficionado who cannot get enough of the history of the carrier, this coffee table-size book is indispensable."--Military Heritage-- (6/26/2008 12:00:00 AM), "Polmar has clearly done his research and performs yeoman's work, bringing relevance to each phase of carrier operation he discusses...a magnificent piece of research."--Air & Space Power Journal-- (9/3/2010 12:00:00 AM), "Should be useful for anyone interested in this particular type of naval vessel."--Nautical Research Journal-- (9/18/2008 12:00:00 AM), "The text provides smart staffers with a lexicon of suitable examples, and plenty of killer quotes about the limits of Air Force action, insight and honesty."--International Journal of Naval History-- (5/22/2008 12:00:00 AM)

Norman Polmar is an internationally known analyst, consultant, and award-winning author specializing in naval, aviation, and intelligence areas. He has participated in or directed major studies in these areas for the U.S. Department of Defense and Navy, and consulted to U.S. and foreign commercial firms and government agencies. He has been an advisor or consultant on naval issues to three U.S. Secretaries of the Navy and two Chiefs of Naval Operations, as well as to three U.S. Senators and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. He has 50 published books to his credit, including eight previous editions of Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet and four editions of Guide to the Soviet Navy. Mr. Polmar is a columnist for the Proceedings and Naval History magazines. He is a resident of Alexandria, VA.