what is an aircraft carrier

An aircraft carrier is a warship that serves as a seagoing airbase, equipped with a full-length flight deck and facilities for carrying, arming, deploying, and recovering aircraft. It is typically the capital ship of a fleet, allowing a naval force to project air power worldwide without depending on local bases. Aircraft carriers are among the largest types of warships due to their need for ample deck space and must be able to perform diverse mission sets, including diplomacy, power projection, crisis response, and more. They are often accompanied by a number of other ships to provide protection and support. The Nimitz and Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers are the largest warships in the world, each designed for an approximately 50-year service life with a single mid-life refueling