Carrier based aircraft is the main combat weapon of large surface ships, which can provide carrier based aircraft take-off and landing. Aircraft carriers usually have huge decks and islands, most of which are located on the starboard side. Aircraft carrier is always the core ship of an aircraft carrier battle group. Other ships in the fleet provide protection and supplies, while aircraft carriers provide air cover and long-range strike capabilities.

Aircraft carriers can be roughly divided into attack type aircraft carriers and multi-purpose aircraft carriers. After World War II, with the progress of science and technology and the change of operational thinking, the United States integrated all types of aircraft carrier operations into one aircraft carrier, namely multi-purpose aircraft carrier; According to the displacement, it can be divided into large aircraft carriers (displacement of more than 60000 tons), medium aircraft carriers (displacement of 30000-60000 tons) and small aircraft carriers (displacement of less than 30000 tons); According to the power plant, it can be divided into nuclear powered aircraft carrier and conventional powered aircraft carrier. Up to now, the aircraft carrier has become an indispensable weapon for the modern navy, and is also one of the most important ships in naval warfare. Depending on the aircraft carrier, a country can exert military pressure and fight far away from its territory without relying on the local airport. Up to now, aircraft carrier has become an indispensable weapon of modern navy and a symbol of a country's comprehensive national strength.