The development of aircraft carriers was initially questioned. Many people worry that in the vast sea, after the aircraft takes off, it is impossible to accurately find the location of the mothership to land, so it has no actual combat value. Therefore, the original aircraft carrier design, the carrier-based aircraft carried are basically seaplanes, which is to avoid the embarrassment of the carrier-based aircraft not being able to find the aircraft carrier.
In that era when navigation means were not yet developed, why could aircraft carriers replace battleships and become the core of naval warfare? Before the invention of radar, the task of navigation by carrier-based aircraft was mainly achieved using radio. This is a compass made using radio principles. This compass construction is very good , can determine the angle between the aircraft and the radio signal source, used to determine the direction of flight.
When the Japanese aircraft carrier launched the Pearl Harbor attack, the Japanese navigation technology was not so advanced, so the Japanese aircraft carrier could only determine the target and direction of the attack first, and then the bomber squad was equipped with a special navigator, and the navigator confirmed the location. If the plane is accidentally lost, as long as it keeps up with the navigator, there is no problem of trek.
In terms of technology for carrier-based aircraft navigation, the US military's carrier-based aircraft are more advanced. This is the legendary YE-ZB radio system, which is actually a combination of the names of the two instruments, the aircraft carrier is equipped with a YE radio transmitting antenna, and the carrier aircraft is equipped with a special ZB radio receiver. This receiver can receive radio signals from the aircraft carrier, corresponding to the 12 directions around the aircraft carrier, as long as the signal is received, the carrier aircraft can find the direction home.
However, the radio signal itself is open, so it can also be a target for enemy reconnaissance, so during the battle, the aircraft carrier's radio signal is likely to remain silent. In this case, the carrier-based aircraft needs to do it itself and find the location of the aircraft carrier. This is not easy for pilots. Even with radar, it is still quite dangerous to return to the aircraft carrier landing at night.
Returning at night not only tests the direction judgment ability of the carrier-based aircraft, but also a test of the ground handling of the aircraft carrier. Even in the 21st century, the take-off and landing of carrier-based aircraft is rarely carried out at night. What do you think?