The Secret Plan to Turn Civilian Airliners into Airborne Aircraft Carriers

🛫In 1973, the U.S. Air Force explored the possibility of using civilian airliners as airborne aircraft carriers.

✈️The plan involved launching and recovering fighter jets mid-air from a Boeing 747.

🌐Airborne aircraft carriers would have provided the Air Force with the ability to deploy airpower anywhere in the world within hours.

👥The concept of airborne aircraft carriers was not entirely new, as the Navy had previously experimented with airships as carriers in the 1930s.

🚫The idea of using civilian airliners as airborne carriers was ultimately abandoned, and the Air Force pursued other methods of extending aircraft range.

What was the purpose of using civilian airliners as airborne aircraft carriers?

—The purpose was to extend the range and capabilities of fighter jets by allowing them to be launched and recovered mid-air.

Why was the idea of airborne aircraft carriers abandoned?

—The concept was abandoned due to the difficulties and risks associated with docking and launching fighter jets from civilian airliners.

Did the U.S. Air Force ever implement airborne aircraft carriers?

—No, the Air Force did not pursue the development of airborne aircraft carriers and instead focused on other methods of extending aircraft range.

What were the challenges in using civilian airliners as airborne carriers?

—Some of the challenges included designing and implementing a system to safely launch and recover fighter jets mid-air, as well as the logistical considerations of housing and supporting the fighter jets on the airliners.

Are there any plans to develop airborne aircraft carriers in the future?

—The U.S. Department of Defense has recently explored the use of unmanned drones as a carrier system, but there are no current plans to develop airborne aircraft carriers.

00:09In 1973, the U.S. Air Force considered using civilian airliners as airborne aircraft carriers.

00:32The plan involved launching and recovering fighter jets mid-air from a Boeing 747.

00:45Airborne aircraft carriers would have provided the Air Force with the ability to deploy airpower anywhere in the world within hours.

02:26The concept of airborne aircraft carriers was not entirely new, as the Navy had previously experimented with airships as carriers in the 1930s.

08:14The idea of using civilian airliners as airborne carriers was ultimately abandoned, and the Air Force pursued other methods of extending aircraft range.