#1772: DeckPods

Aircraft carriers are huge, expensive targets.

Today’s invention is to replace them with small submersibles which can be air-dropped into an ocean.

Each of these would be uncrewed and equipped with a quiet motor so that they could navigate autonomously but very accurately, sub-surface if necessary, to rendez-vous with any helicopters or VTOL aircraft. They would then surface briefly to provide a landable platform.

Offering a mobile source of stores and fuel, these pods would also act as stepping stones and thus allow such aircraft to cover huge ranges -whilst themselves being extremely hard to find and attack.