The introduction of carrier-based aviation provided fleets with critical air cover and scouting capabilities over areas unreachable by land-based planes, granting a massive tactical advantage.
: During this period, aircraft became faster and more durable, and the Navy established the Bureau of Aeronautics to oversee this rapid development. Tactical and Operational Evolution 1920x1200 Naval Aviation">
: By the end of the 1920s, the U.S. Navy had transitioned from a small detachment of seaplanes to a fleet featuring three fully operational carriers. aircraft became faster and more durable
Before the 1920s, aircraft were primarily seen as scouting tools or auxiliaries to the battleship line. However, the successful conversion of the collier into the USS Langley (CV-1) marked the beginning of a shift toward dedicated aircraft carriers. 1920x1200 Naval Aviation">