SUBMARINE AIRCRAFT CARRIERS: From World War I to the Age of Drones

Details how the submarine aircraft carrier was born from the fusion of the diesel-powered submarine and the fixed-wing aircraft. Draws on more than sixty years of researching and writing about the world's naval vessels to uncover the development of submarine aircraft carriers. Details how all of the major naval powers sought the creation of the carrier, but only Japan and France had seagoing submarine aircraft carriers when World War II erupted. France's single such vessel disappeared at sea in 1942, but Japan built forty-seven, including three of its massive I-400 class, the largest submarines of World War II. Details how after World War II, both the United States and the Soviet Union pursued further development of submarine aircraft carriers as part of their nuclear strike capabilities, but the advent of guided cruise missiles quickly ended interest in these vessels. Contains 15 black and white illustrations, 63 black and white photos, and 39 tables.