An airborne aircraft carrier is a type of mother ship aircraft which can carry, launch, retrieve and support other smaller parasite aircraft. [1] The only dedicated examples to have been built were airships, although existing heavier-than-air aircraft have been modified for use in similar roles.

The Lockheed CL-1201 was a design study by Lockheed for a large 6,000 ton nuclear-powered transport aircraft in the late 1960s. One envisioned use of the concept was as an airborne aircraft carrier. [1]

Apr 8, 2023 · The first version was an airborne aircraft carrier and mothership. Lockheed believed their design could carry a load of at least 5,440 tons (4,935 tonnes), which is a lot of planes. This “Attack Aircraft Carrier” version of the plane was designed to carry a total of 24 aircraft.

Dec 2, 2013 · As the carrier took off, the docked fighters would gun their engines to help the fully laden craft get airborne. Once aloft, the smaller planes were able to unhook and intercept enemy fighters or fly their own strike missions.

May 1, 2021 · Designed by Lockheed to find the upper size limit of aircraft using conventional 1969 materials and technology – this is the CL-1201, the biggest aircraft never built.

May 18, 2024 · The U.S. Air Force collaborated with Boeing to convert its 747 into an aircraft carrier, but it was outpaced by the seaborne carriers used today.

Oct 24, 2024 · By the 1970s, we saw the Boeing 747-AAC (Airborne Aircraft Carrier), designed to carry up to 10 Boeing Model 985-121 “microfighters” using a carrier and landing platform, flight deck, and more. Boeing’s goal was to essentially create an aerodrome wherever needed for refueling, retrievals, and more.

Aug 23, 2024 · The first was an airborne aircraft carrier armed with 24 aircraft and long-range cruise missiles, and the second, a military transport capable of carrying up to 400 combat-equipped troops, 472 specialized crew, and over a thousand tons of …

An airborne aircraft carrier or carrier aircraft is an aircraft which can carry other smaller aircraft. Several plans were drawn up to outfit Zeppelin-type rigid airships to launch and recover fighters.

Apr 16, 2021 · In addition to looking at the feasibility of an airborne aircraft carrier based on commercially available jetliners, the study also investigated if small jets, so-called microjets, could...