katamuro11

Its actually classified as a heavy aircraft cruiser, its anti-ship armament is enough to take out a ship in one on one fight with its aircraft complement mainly used to fight submarines and enemy aircraft. It was a nice idea but because so little were built and operating these ships was quite expensive. But it had been a nice idea, it was just before its time, before there was a viable VTOL aircraft (Su-38 is nice but too heavy, too slow and its weapon loadout was too small). Even the current gen Harriers are not enough. Even F-35 is too big and too expensive. For a heavy aircraft cruiser to work there needs to be a small VTOL capable jet with enough of variable weapons load to act as fighter screen and as a viable weapons platform for anti-ship missiles.