USS Midway (CV-41) is coming soon!

What is the main weapon of any aircraft carrier? There’s hardly any need to guess — the answer is obvious. It is, of course, aviation. It is what defines the ship’s strength and capabilities, turning it into a mobile strike platform.

And what could be better than powerful carrier-based aviation? Perhaps only one thing — having a lot of it. When the number of aircraft allows not just striking, but doing so continuously, with increasing intensity, literally overwhelming enemy ships with missiles and bombs.

USS Midway (CV-41) — the first heavy American aircraft carrier and the lead ship of the Midway class. Designed for dominance at sea and in the air, it is capable of sustaining continuous carrier-based air sorties, striking both naval and land targets at long range. It combines impressive firepower, high survivability, and the ability to support allied forces anywhere in the world.

Armament

1. Strike fighter — F-35 Lightning II [x1]
2. Strike fighter — F-35 Lightning II [x1]
3. Fighter — F-22 Raptor [x1]
4. Helicopter — RAH-66 Comanche [x1]
5. Helicopter — RAH-66 Comanche [x1]
6. Autocannon — CRAW-M-41 [x2] 🔒
7. Air Defense — RIM-162D-M [x3] 🔒

It’s worth noting right away: out of all possible armaments, this ship only has aviation. Nothing extra — no missile batteries, no grenade launchers, no torpedoes. It embodies the classic concept of what a Western-style aircraft carrier should be — pure, focused carrier aviation power.

Two interchangeable squadrons of strike aircraft are more than enough to unleash a true firestorm upon the enemy, methodically burning through their ships and giving them no chance to recover. With proper use, such a strike group can keep the enemy under constant pressure, while the flight deck crew, despite the heavy workload, can maintain the sortie tempo thanks to solid reload reserves without critical delays. Oh, and let’s not forget — you also have a fighter squadron for reconnaissance!

So how do you play the new American aircraft carrier?

In general, if you’ve already dealt with ships like USS Nimitz (CVN-68) or USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), you’ll quickly understand the basics. For newcomers or those less familiar with this class, it’s simple: keep a good distance from the enemy and try to avoid being detected.

And woe to any enemy ship caught alone in open waters without allied cover — it will be struck by such a barrage from the sky that it will feel less like aircraft using their arsenal and more like the heavens themselves unleashing thunder and lightning. But that’s just poetic imagery.

What if you are spotted? Well… the ship has three missile-based air defense points that can help deal with at least some of the incoming missiles. Helicopters, if used correctly, will also contribute to countering enemy aircraft. There are autocannons as well, but they are mainly effective against torpedoes.

Overall, the defense of USS Midway (CV-41) is versatile, but not the strongest. It is guaranteed to repel part of any attack — but only part. Therefore, engaging even frigates that try to close the distance is not recommended. It’s better to support allies with reconnaissance and strikes — then the enemy simply won’t reach you, sparing you unnecessary trouble.