Caption
President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with business leaders at the US Ambassador’s Residence on October 28, 2025, in Tokyo, Japan. (Getty Images)
The aircraft carrier has served as the lynchpin of American naval power for eight decades. However, given their cost and mounting Anti-Access/Area Denial threats, many observers have questioned whether it is worthwhile to continue to build large, nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. In a new report, Hudson Institute’s Center for American Seapower provides a comprehensive analysis of the future of the aircraft carrier. Sharpening the Spear: The Carrier, the Joint Force, and High-End Conflict examines the role of Carrier Strike Groups (CSGs) in high-end conflict, identifying capabilities and vulnerabilities, and offering innovative recommendations for policymakers and military strategists in terms of concepts, capabilities, and capacities. The report concludes that while many criticisms of the platform have merit, the unmatched flexibility and adaptability of the aircraft carrier will continue to make it a critical Navy contribution to joint U.S. warfighting capabilities.
On October 8th, Hudson released the report at an event in the Rayburn House Office Building. Congressman J. Randy Forbes (R-VA) gave keynote remarks on the role of the carrier in future warfighting. Bryan McGrath, deputy director of the Center for American Seapower, gave an overview of the report’s key insights, and Seth Cropsey, director of the Center for American Seapower, moderated a panel on the importance of the carrier in American military strategy. The panel featured Ronald O’Rourke, specialist in national defense at the Congressional Research Service; Robert Martinage, senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments; and Timothy A. Walton, co-author of the report and principal at Alios Consulting Group.
Click here to view Bryan McGrath's and Timothy Walton's PowerPoint slides.
Related Events
12
January 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Securing America’s Communications Infrastructure: A Strategic Agenda for US Leadership
Featured Speakers:
Olivia Trusty
Harold Furchtgott-Roth
12
January 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Securing America’s Communications Infrastructure: A Strategic Agenda for US Leadership
Hudson will host Federal Communications Commissioner Olivia Trusty for an address on the national security importance of America’s communications infrastructure.
Featured Speakers:
Olivia Trusty
Harold Furchtgott-Roth
20
January 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
A Conversation with Former METI Minister Nishimura on the Takaichi Government’s Economic Strategy
Featured Speakers:
Yasutoshi Nishimura
Kenneth R. Weinstein
20
January 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
A Conversation with Former METI Minister Nishimura on the Takaichi Government’s Economic Strategy
On January 20, Hudson Japan Chair Kenneth R. Weinstein will host Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, former head of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), for remarks on the Takaichi government’s economic security strategy.
Featured Speakers:
Yasutoshi Nishimura
Kenneth R. Weinstein
10
February 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Assistant Secretary of War Michael Cadenazzi on Rebooting America’s Defense Industrial Base
Featured Speakers:
Michael Cadenazzi
Nadia Schadlow
10
February 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Assistant Secretary of War Michael Cadenazzi on Rebooting America’s Defense Industrial Base
Join Hudson for a conversation with Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy Michael Cadenazzi, who leads the DoW’s efforts to develop and maintain the US defense industrial base to secure critical national security supply chains.
Featured Speakers:
Michael Cadenazzi
Nadia Schadlow
11
December 2025
Past Event
Building US-Taiwan Defense Supply Chain Collaboration: Opportunities for Codevelopment and Coproduction
Featured Speakers:
Admiral Lee Hsi-Min
Betsy Shieh
Brandon Tseng
Rupert Hammond-Chambers
Moderator:
Jason Hsu
11
December 2025
Past Event
Building US-Taiwan Defense Supply Chain Collaboration: Opportunities for Codevelopment and Coproduction
Join Hudson for a discussion with senior defense, industry, and policy leaders on how the US and Taiwan can advance collaborative models for codevelopment, coproduction, and supply chain integration.
Featured Speakers:
Admiral Lee Hsi-Min
Betsy Shieh
Brandon Tseng
Rupert Hammond-Chambers
Moderator:
Jason Hsu
Related Research
Caption
(Screenshot via Fox News)
Caption
(School of War)
Caption
Newspaper front pages display stories on the capture and arrest of President Nicolas Maduro from Venezuela in a newsagent shop, on January 4, 2026, in Somerset, England. (Getty Images)
