Ship:Aircraft

{{Video|qjyQVM2sGAo|width=375|Learn more about aircraft carriers in World of Warships. [[Ship:Transcript of Video "How It Works: New Carriers Gameplay"|Transcript]]}}{{AnnoWiki|content=
[[File:Aircraft_modules_2.png|left]]'''Aircraft''' in ''World of Warships'' come in several variants: some launched from aircraft carriers, some launched from catapults aboard traditional surface combatants.  Planes launched from carriers are always under the control of the player; those launched from via catapult and carrier-based fighters are more automated and a player cannot issue specific commands to them once launched.  Each type of plane has a unique role in the overall scope of aerial combat as it plays out in battle.}}

__TOC__  __NOEDITSECTION__

==Types of Aircraft==
There are six types of aircraft that can become involved in battles in ''World of Warships'':<ref>Other aircraft and dirigibles can be seen in the skies above some [[Ship:Maps|Maps]].  These are decorative and do not become involved in battle.</ref>

* '''Attack aircraft''' utilize a large number of small-caliber rockets to light fires and strike fast, maneuverable vessels that are lightly armored. 
* '''Torpedo bombers''' carry air-dropped torpedoes that can cause hull damage and floods, and are best delivered against slower, less maneuverable targets. 
* '''Bombers''' carry either high explosive, effective against all targets, or armor-piercing bombs, effective against heavy targets. 
* '''Fighters''' are air-to-air specialists that can be used against enemy aircraft, or for [[Ship:Detection|spotting]].
* '''Spotting aircraft''', launched from a ship's catapult, can be used to increase a ship's firing range and provide players a different camera angle from which to aim their shots.
* '''Airstrike aircraft''', currently HE and depth charge airstrike bombers, deliver their payload to a designated area after a delay. They cannot spot enemy ships or planes, and have a limited strike range.

=== Icons ===

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none; width:500px"
|-
! style="vertical-align:middle; width: 200px" | Aircraft Type
! style="vertical-align:middle; width: 150px" | Minimap and HUD <br />Icon <ref>Minimap and HUD Icons come in a range of attractive colors: Enemy (red, shown) [[File:175 plane catapult fighter enemy.png]], Team (green) [[File:177_plane_catapult_fighter ally.png]], Division Mate (gold) [[File:176_plane_catapult_fighter division.png]], One's Own (white) [[File:174_plane_catapult_fighter own.png]], Penalty (pink) [[File:172_plane_catapult_fighter teamkiller.png]].
</ref>
! style="vertical-align:middle; width: 150px" | Ship UI Icon
|- 
| style="vertical-align:middle" | Attack Aircraft<br />(HE rockets)
| style="vertical-align:middle" | [[File:169 plane fighter enemy.png|link=#Attack Aircraft]]
| style="vertical-align:middle" | [[File:Ammo Fighter.png|link=#Attack Aircraft]]
|- 
| style="vertical-align:middle" | Attack Aircraft<br />(AP rockets)
| style="vertical-align:middle" | [[File:171 plane fighter enemy AP.png|link=#Attack Aircraft]]
| style="vertical-align:middle" | [[File:Ammo_fighter_ap.png|link=#Attack Aircraft]]
|- 
| style="vertical-align:middle" | Torpedo Bombers 
| style="vertical-align:middle" | [[File:143 plane torpedo enemy.png|link=#Torpedo Bombers]]
| style="vertical-align:middle" | [[File:Torpedo_Squadron.png|link=#Torpedo Bombers]]
|- 
| style="vertical-align:middle" | High Explosive Bombers 
| style="vertical-align:middle" | [[File:197 plane bomber enemy.png|link=#Bombers]]
| style="vertical-align:middle" | [[File:HE Bomb Squadron.png|link=#Bombers]]
|- 
| style="vertical-align:middle" | High Explosive Skip Bombers 
| style="vertical-align:middle" | [[File:166 plane skip enemy.png|link=#Skip Bombers]]
| style="vertical-align:middle" | [[File:HE Skip Bomb Squadron.png|link=#Skip Bombers]]
|- 
| style="vertical-align:middle" | Armor-Piercing Bombers
| style="vertical-align:middle" | [[File:196 plane bomber enemy AP.png|link=#Bombers]]
| style="vertical-align:middle" | [[File:AP Bomb Squadron.png|link=#Bombers]]
|- 
| style="vertical-align:middle" | Fighters
| style="vertical-align:middle" | [[File:175 plane catapult fighter enemy.png|link=#Fighters]]
| style="vertical-align:middle" | [[File:Consumable PCY012 FighterPremium.png|link=#Fighters]]
|- 
| style="vertical-align:middle" | Interceptors
| style="vertical-align:middle" | [[File:200 plane catapult fighter upgrade enemy.png|link=#Interceptors]]
| style="vertical-align:middle" | [[File:Consumable PCY035 CallFighters Upgrade.png|link=#Interceptors]]
|- 
| style="vertical-align:middle" | Spotting Aircraft
| style="vertical-align:middle" | [[File:153 plane scout enemy.png|link=#Spotting Aircraft]]
| style="vertical-align:middle" | [[File:Consumable_PCY005_Spotter.png|link=#Spotting Aircraft]]
|- 
| style="vertical-align:middle" | [https://blog.worldofwarships.com/blog/137 Airstrike (HE bombs)]
| style="vertical-align:middle" | [[File:237 plane asup he enemy.png]]
| style="vertical-align:middle" | [[File:Ammo_airsupport_he.png|link=#Air_strikes]]
|- 
| style="vertical-align:middle" | Airstrike (Depth Charges)
| style="vertical-align:middle" | [[File:878.png]]
| style="vertical-align:middle" | [[File:Ammo_airsupport_depthcharge.png|link=#ASW_Planes]]
|}

== Player-Controlled Aircraft ==
[[Ship:Aircraft Carriers|Aircraft carrier]] players have access to three of the aircraft types noted above with which they can attack enemy surface ships:  attack aircraft, torpedo bombers, and bombers.  (While some fighters are also launched from a carrier, they are not player-controlled.)

Each of these aircraft types can attack surface ships only and their payload is single-use, meaning that once their rockets or bombs or torpedoes are expended, they must return to their carrier in order to re-arm and launch again.  Bombers are almost universally slower than fighters while carrying their ordnance to a target.

If an aircraft carrier is destroyed, her player will still retain control of the current aircraft squadron until all shells are fired or until '''three minutes''' expire.

=== [[Ship:Attack_Aircraft|Attack Aircraft]] ===
[[File:Ammo Fighter.png|frameless|left|link=]]Attack aircraft carry rockets with high explosive (HE) or armor-piercing (AP) warheads. The HE rockets have relatively low penetration values, so their damage output against heavily armored ships is negligible. Rather, primary use is to start fires on enemy vessels, and to harass lightly armored destroyers.  Arguably, rockets are the easiest of the three weapon types to aim as they have the fastest sight stabilization and a fairly small strike dispersion. They have no arming distance and have an easy to use aiming reticle.

Attack planes of the [[File:Wows flag USA.png|frameless|20px|link=]] United States Navy have access to two types of rocket: the smaller, "traditional" rocket, and the much larger "Tiny Tim" rocket that features higher damage, penetration and fire chance over their counterparts, at the cost of the number of rockets carried per plane.

Attack planes of the [[File:Wows flag Germany.png|frameless|20px|link=]] Kriegsmarine also have access to two types of rocket: the standard high explosive rocket on ''Graf Zeppelin'', and armor-piercing rockets on its other carriers. 

''[[Max Immelmann]]'', ''[[Chkalov]]'' and ''[[Béarn]]'' do not carry attack aircraft.

U.S. battleship ''[[Kearsarge]]'' and destroyer ''[[Halford]]'', as well as Soviet cruiser ''[[Kommissar]]'', also carry attack aircraft.

<div class="b-popup"><div class="b-popup_head js-tech-nav_head"><div><h4>Aerial Rocket Data</h4></div><span class="b-tech-nav_arrow"></span></div><div class="b-popup_content" style="display: none;"><div>
{{Ship:Aerial Rocket Data}}
</div></div></div>

=== Torpedo Bombers ===
[[File:Torpedo_Squadron.png|frameless|left|link=]]Torpedo bombers are the preferred strike weapons of aircraft carriers, as they provide consistent damage against almost any enemy ship in a given match. Aerial torpedoes have universally lower damage and flood chance when compared to their ship-launched counterparts, but otherwise behave similarly. 

When performing an attack run with torpedo bombers, captains will notice a yellow are in the attack cone; this is the distance in which the torpedoes must travel before they arm. If a torpedo strikes before arming, it will not do damage. The torpedo attack cone also closes quite slowly, so captains should take the time to plan out their attack runs before beginning them.

''[[Indomitable]]'' and ''[[Béarn]]'' do not carry torpedo bombers.

Battleship ''[[Ise]]'' and cruisers ''[[Tone]]'' and ''[[Chikuma II]]'' also carry torpedo bombers.

<div class="b-popup"><div class="b-popup_head js-tech-nav_head"><div><h4>Aerial Torpedo Data</h4></div><span class="b-tech-nav_arrow"></span></div><div class="b-popup_content" style="display: none;"><div>
{{Ship:Aerial Torpedo Data}}
</div></div></div>

=== Bombers ===
[[File:HE_Bomb_Squadron.png|frameless|left|link=]]'''Bombers''' are the third type of player-controlled aircraft carried by an aircraft carrier. 

==== Dive Bombers ====
A dive bomber approaches at high altitude, then dives toward the target &mdash; using the aircraft itself to aim &mdash; before releasing its bomb at low level and pulling out and away.  

Traditional dive bombers, found on most carriers, are probably the most difficult weapon type to use, as their aiming reticle is fairly hard to understand, and properly "leading" a target before entering the attack run takes some practice to get right. The payoff for HE bombs is a high fire chance and good damage. The armor-piercing versions can be devastating. 

==== Level Bombers ====
Like strategic land bombers, level bombers fly high and level and use a bomb sight to aim. The [[File:Wows flag UK.png|frameless|20px|link=]] Royal Navy, as well as ''[[Hornet]]'' employ this type of bomber, as do battleships ''[[Nebraska]]'', ''[[Delaware]]'' ''[[Louisiana]]''.

Level bombers have an aiming system that is generally easier to use.  Offsetting this, they generally do less damage. 

==== Skip Bombers ====
Skip bombers approach their target low, almost at water level like torpedo bombers, attempting to bounce their HE bombs off the water's surface. Soviet carriers, ''[[Max Immelmann]]'' and ''[[Béarn]]'' employ this type of bomber.

==== Aerial Bombs ====
There are two main types: High Explosive (HE) bombs favored by United States and Royal Navy carriers, and armor-piercing (AP) bombs favored by the Imperial Japanese Navy and the Kriegsmarine.

<div class="b-popup"><div class="b-popup_head js-tech-nav_head"><div><h4>Aerial Bomb Data</h4></div><span class="b-tech-nav_arrow"></span></div><div class="b-popup_content" style="display: none;"><div>
{{Ship:Aerial Bomb Data}}
</div></div></div>

=== Hybrid Squadrons and Tactical Squadrons ===

[[File:TacticalTorpedoIcon.png|frameless|left|link=]] Hybrid ships are ships that have a squadron although they are not aircraft carriers. Some aircraft carriers have special squadrons called ''tactical squadrons'', whose UI icons are marked with a white star in a green square (see icon on the left). Hybrid squadrons and tactical squadrons function similarly to normal squadrons but have their own key differences. The entire squadron replenishes instead of one plane at a time, and they are unlimited in use. They do not return to the ship after attacking or when the player presses F, so the full preparation time must occur before they can be used again (the timer starts when the aircraft take off). Both types can only carry out one attack per take-off, similar to Soviet aircraft carriers. Usually, not more than one squadron fits on deck (but two with ''[[Halford]]''). Both squadron types are not ready at the start of the battle (except with the ''[[Essex]]'' branch), but instead take several minutes before they can be used. Specific to tactical squadrons, their boost cannot regenerate in-flight, and they often lack access to squadron consumables (except for ''[[Hornet]]'''s and the ''Essex'' branch's squadrons, which have both). Specific to hybrid squadrons, they are launched with rocket boosters, giving them a temporary speed boost (except for ''[[Kearsarge]]''’s and ''[[Halford]]''’s attack aircraft squadrons). Once these run out, however, they are rather slow (specifically for the squadrons on ''[[Ise]]'' and ''[[Tone]]''), and also lack squadron consumables (except for the squadrons on ''[[Nebraska]]'', ''[[Delaware]]'', ''[[Louisiana]]'' and ''[[Halford]]'' which have Engine Cooling). In contrast, some tactical squadrons of Tier ★ ships are very fast, both cruising and using boost. Both squadron types often serve a supplementary role for ships equipped with them, used in conjunction with the ship's other armaments to deal damage.

=== Controls ===
Individual squadrons are controlled using the WASD keys and the mouse. Aircraft will automatically retain a set forward throttle, regardless of player input. Squadrons are steered using a combination of the mouse and the "A" and "D" keys. The "W" and "S" keys are used to apply a limited time boost and air braking, respectively. The amount of remaining boost is indicated by the curved bar on the left side of the HUD when controlling a squadron. Boost will automatically regenerate when not being used, but captains can also use the {{Engine Cooling}} squadron consumable to immediately replenish the boost bar.

Left-clicking will begin an attack run. While in the attack mode, squadron control remains the same.

Pressing "F" when controlling a squadron will relinquish control of the squadron, returning both the captain and their aircraft to the carrier. Surviving aircraft from an attack run will automatically return to their carrier.

=== Managing Squadron Speed ===

{{main|Ship:Aircraft Speed|l1=Aircraft Speed}}

== Automated Aircraft ==
The following aircraft types in ''World of Warships'' are not flown by the player.

=== Fighters ===
[[File:Consumable PCY012 FighterPremium.png|frameless|left|link=]]Fighter squadrons can be deployed in three different ways.  Once deployed, all three act much the same -- patrolling until they are able to attack enemy aircraft, or expire.  A ship consumable launches a small squadron of fighters from the ship's catapult (Catapult Fighter); an aircraft squadron consumable summons fighters from the home carrier (Patrol Fighter), or a carrier may launch its Combat Air Patrol (CAP Fighter) to defend itself.  

If enemy aircraft appear within the patrolled area, the fighters will attack them. Fighters can destroy as many enemy aircraft as their number patrolling the area. Afterwards, the consumable effect expires, even if they have shot down fewer planes than the number of fighters in the flight. The fighters disappear and the cooldown time begins.

* For surface combatants, the {{Catapult Fighter}} consumables consist of a squadron of two to four aircraft that orbit their home ship at a radius of 0.9 km for 60 seconds. They will attempt to engage enemy aircraft within their action radius of 3 km.
* Aircraft carrier-based attack squadrons have access to the {{Patrol Fighter}} consumable. Similar to the Fighter consumable, when activated a squadron of three to seven fighters is called to the location at which it was activated. The fighters will attempt to engage enemy aircraft within their action radius of 2.5 to 4.0 km.<ref>See [[Ship:Update_0.8.0.3|Update_0.8.0.3]]. With the skill rework in Update 0.10.0 this radius can be increased.</ref> Patrol fighters last for 60 seconds, allowing them to be used as a passive scouting tool.
**The Patrol Fighters on supercarriers are unique in that they have a 4 km action radius, and a 20 second action time and 5 second cooldown on the consumable.
**The Patrol Fighters on ''Béarn'', ''[[Independence]]'', ''[[Yorktown]]'' and ''[[Essex]]'' are unique in that they can only spot ships from 2 km. Additionally, the Patrol Fighters on ''Yorktown'' and ''Essex'' activate 50% faster against enemy aircraft in their radius, have a 4 km action radius, 60 second action time and 5 second cooldown.
* For aircraft carrier captains, a {{CAP Fighter}} is automatically activated when the carrier is spotted. Each consumable consists of a squadron of four fighters that orbit the vessel at a distance of 0.9 km for 10 minutes. They will attempt to engage enemy aircraft within their action radius of 3 km.
* The detectability range of all carrier-launched fighters is 10 km.

==== Interceptors ====

[[File:Consumable PCY035 CallFighters Upgrade.png|frameless|left|link=]] '''Interceptors''' are a type of Patrol Fighter consumable.  Patrol Fighters are converted to Interceptors by mastering the <u>[[Ship:List_of_Commander_Skills#A_Interceptor|Interceptor]]</u> skill. The two are deployed in the same way.  Interceptors are called to defend friendly ships against incoming enemy attack squadrons, and are dedicated to the mission: they have a larger patrol radius, they do not interact with enemy fighters, and they do not spot.

==== Other fighter skills ====

The aircraft carrier commander skill <u>[[Ship:List_of_Commander_Skills#A_Direction_Center_for_Fighters|Direction Center for Fighters]]</u> adds one fighter to CAP Fighter squadrons but not to Patrol Fighter or Interceptor squadrons.

A number of aircraft carrier commander skills impact both Patrol Fighter and Interceptor squadrons:
* <u>[[Ship:List_of_Commander_Skills#A_Search_and_Destroy|Search and Destroy]]</u> &ndash; 10% larger patrol radius.
* <u>[[Ship:List_of_Commander_Skills#A_Patrol_Group_Leader|Patrol Group Leader]]</u> &ndash; +1 charge to the consumable.
* <u>[[Ship:List_of_Commander_Skills#A_Enhanced_Reactions|Enhanced Reactions]]</u> &ndash; very quick counter-attack, longer action time, but slower arrival time.<br /><br />
The <u>Consumables Specialist</u> skill improves the turn-around time of all catapult aircraft.

=== Spotting Aircraft ===
[[File:Consumable_PCY005_Spotter.png|frameless|left|link=]]Similar to the Catapult Fighter, the {{Spotting Aircraft}} consumable launches a plane from the ship's catapult.  However, instead of attacking enemy aircraft, the unarmed Spotting Aircraft increases the ship's main battery range by 20% and gives an "aerial" perspective when scoping, which can be switched to by default with the '''C''' key. It is available on all Tier IX and X cruisers, Russian cruisers from Tier VI and higher, British cruisers from Tiers V - VIII, as well as all Japanese battleships from Tier IV and higher and American battleships from Tier VI and higher.  Ships with access to catapult-launched aircraft usually must choose between equipping either a Catapult Fighter or a Spotting Aircraft, which has a longer duration and cooldown and a larger orbital radius of 3 km (1.2 km for USN ships).

<br>The {{High-Precision Spotter}}, found on ''[[Yumihari]]'', ''[[Adatara]]'', ''[[Bungo]]'', and ''[[Tianjin]]'' increases both the range of the main battery and their accuracy.<br /><br />The cruiser commander skill <u>[[Ship:List_of_Commander_Skills#C_Eye_in_the_Sky|Eye in the Sky]]</u> makes the use of spotting aircraft more reactive.

=== Airstrikes ===
==== HE Bomb Airstrikes ====

[[File:Ammo_airsupport_he.png|frameless|left|link=]]Airstrikes are delivered by a squadron of level bombers that drops a spread of bombs over a player-designated area. This reticle is square, and is comparable to 2 battleships in size. When the area is selected by the player, the squadron of planes will appear and fly over to the area after a brief delay. Once they reach the area, they are subject to AA fire and the survivors will deploy a large number of bombs. After deploying, the planes will fly upwards, similar to returning carrier planes, and disappear. Airstrikes have a limited striking range, and they cannot spot ships or other planes. 

Airstrikes drop a large number of HE bombs that are equipped with parachutes to slow their descent. This makes airstrike bombs significantly easier to dodge than normal carrier bombs. Ships can have anywhere from 1 to 3 squadrons available. Similarly to depth charges, they can be used one at a time or all at once. When one is used, the cooldown for that single charge begins immediately. The reload time listed in port is for a single charge of the airstrike. Charges reload one at a time.

Currently, airstrikes are only present on Dutch cruisers, starting with Tier VI ''[[Kijkduin]]'', and on Dutch destroyer X ''[[Tromp]]''.

<div class="b-popup">
  <div class="b-popup_head js-tech-nav_head">
    <div>&mdash;&mdash;&nbsp;&nbsp;'''Airstrike Data'''&nbsp;&nbsp;&mdash;&mdash;</div>
    <span class="b-tech-nav_arrow"></span></div>
    <div class="b-popup_content" style="display:block; overflow: auto;"><div>
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none;"
|+ Airstrikes
! style="vertical-align:middle;" data-sort-type="url" | Ship
! style="vertical-align:middle; width: 50px;" class="unsortable" | Nation
! style="vertical-align:middle; width: 50px;" data-sort-type="number" | Number of Charges
! style="vertical-align:middle; width: 50px;" data-sort-type="number" | Reload Time
! style="vertical-align:middle; width: 50px;" data-sort-type="number" | Airstrike Range
! style="vertical-align:middle; width: 50px;" data-sort-type="number" | Aircraft per Attack
! style="vertical-align:middle; width: 50px;" data-sort-type="number" | Bombs per Plane
! style="vertical-align:middle; width: 50px;" data-sort-type="number" | HP per Plane
! style="vertical-align:middle; width: 75px;" data-sort-type="text" | Bomb Type
! style="vertical-align:middle; width: 50px;" data-sort-type="number" | Damage
! style="vertical-align:middle; width: 50px;" data-sort-type="number" | Armor Penetrated
! style="vertical-align:middle; width: 50px;" data-sort-type="number" | Fire Chance
|-
| style="vertical-align:middle; text-align:left;" | [[File:Icon default cruiser.png|16px]] VI ''[[Kijkduin]]''
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | {{Flag_of_Netherlands|size=40 px}}
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 1
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | {{0}}80 s
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 10.0 km
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | {{0}}6
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 6
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 1,850
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | P.u.W. 100 kg
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 5,100
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 32 mm
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 29%
|-
| style="vertical-align:middle; text-align:left;" | [[File:Icon default cruiser.png|16px]] VII ''[[Eendracht]]''
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | {{Flag_of_Netherlands|size=40 px}}
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 1
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | {{0}}80 s
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 11.0 km
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | {{0}}8
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 6
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 1,940
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | P.u.W. 120 kg
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 5,800
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 34 mm
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 33%
|-
| style="vertical-align:middle; text-align:left;" | [[File:Icon default cruiser.png|16px]] VIII ''[[Jaarsveld]]''
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | {{Flag_of_Netherlands|size=40 px}}
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 2
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | {{0}}73 s
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 11.0 km
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | {{0}}6
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 5
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 1,860
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | P.u.W. 150 kg
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 5,900
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 36 mm
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 39%
|-
| style="vertical-align:middle; text-align:left;" | [[File:Icon default cruiser.png|16px]] VIII ''[[Haarlem]]''
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | {{Flag_of_Netherlands|size=40 px}}
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 2
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 100 s
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 12.0 km
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 10
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 6
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 2,020
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | P.u.W. 120 kg
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 5,800
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 34 mm
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 33%
|-
| style="vertical-align:middle; text-align:left;" | [[File:Icon default cruiser premium.png|16px]] VIII ''[[De Zeven Provinciën]]''
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | {{Flag_of_Netherlands|size=40 px}}
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 3
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | {{0}}65 s
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 13.0 km
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | {{0}}6
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 4
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 1,860
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | P.u.W. 120 kg
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 5,800
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 34 mm
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 33%
|-
| style="vertical-align:middle; text-align:left;" | [[File:Icon default cruiser premium.png|16px]] VIII ''[[Vrijheid]]''
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | {{Flag_of_Netherlands|size=40 px}}
| colspan=10 style="vertical-align:middle;" | tbd
|-
| style="vertical-align:middle; text-align:left;" | [[File:Icon default cruiser.png|16px]] IX ''[[Menno van Coehoorn]]''
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | {{Flag_of_Netherlands|size=40 px}}
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 2
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | {{0}}67 s
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 13.5 km
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | {{0}}6
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 5
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 1,960
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | P.u.W. 150 kg
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 6,900
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 36 mm
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 39%
|-
| style="vertical-align:middle; text-align:left;" | [[File:Icon default cruiser.png|16px]] IX ''[[Johan de Witt]]''
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | {{Flag_of_Netherlands|size=40 px}}
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 2
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 100 s
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 12.0 km
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 10
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 6
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 2,110
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | P.u.W. 140 kg
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 6,100
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 36 mm
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 35%
|-
| style="vertical-align:middle; text-align:left;" | [[File:Icon default cruiser premium.png|16px]] IX ''[[Van Speijk]]''
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | {{Flag_of_Netherlands|size=40 px}}
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 1
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 130 s
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 15.0 km
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 10
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 6
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 2,110
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | P.u.W. 140 kg
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 6,100
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 36 mm
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 35%
|-
| style="vertical-align:middle; text-align:left;" | [[File:Icon default cruiser.png|16px]] X ''[[Utrecht]]''
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | {{Flag_of_Netherlands|size=40 px}}
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 2
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | {{0}}60 s
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 14.0 km
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | {{0}}7
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 5
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 2,160
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | P.u.W. 150 kg
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 6,900
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 36 mm
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 39%
|-
| style="vertical-align:middle; text-align:left;" | [[File:Icon default cruiser.png|16px]] X ''[[Gouden Leeuw]]''
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | {{Flag_of_Netherlands|size=40 px}}
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 2
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 100 s
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 13.0 km
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 12
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 6
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 2,200
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | P.u.W. 160 kg
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 6,800
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 37 mm
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 39%
|-
| style="vertical-align:middle; text-align:left;" | [[File:Icon default cruiser premium.png|16px]] X ''[[Prins van Oranje]]''
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | {{Flag_of_Netherlands|size=40 px}}
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 2
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 160 s
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 15.0 km
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 12
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 7
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 2,200
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | P.u.W. 250 kg
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 8,500
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 46 mm
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 48%
|-
| style="vertical-align:middle; text-align:left;" | [[File:Icon default cruiser premium.png|16px]]  X ''[[Prins van Oranje Golden]]''
| style="vertical-align:middle;" |{{Flag_of_Netherlands|size=40 px}}
| colspan=10 style="vertical-align:middle;" | tbd
|-
| style="vertical-align:middle; text-align:left;" | [[File:Icon default destroyer premium.png|16px]] X ''[[Tromp]]''
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | {{Flag_of_Netherlands|size=40 px}}
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 2
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | {{0}}60 s
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 10 km
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 12
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 6
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 2,200
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | P.u.W. 160 kg
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 3,700
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 20 mm
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | 21%
|-
| style="vertical-align:middle; text-align:left;" | [[File:Icon default battleship premium.png|16px]]  X ''[[Willem de Eerste]]''
| style="vertical-align:middle;" | {{Flag_of_Netherlands|size=40 px}}
| colspan=10 style="vertical-align:middle;" | tbd
|}
</div></div></div>

==== Depth Charge Airstrikes ====

[[File:Ammo_airsupport_depthcharge.png|frameless|left|link=]]Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) planes are a type of airstrike that attack submarines. In terms of mechanics, they operate very similarly to anti-ship airstrikes. Instead of dropping HE bombs, ASW planes drop depth charges. These are effective against submarines at all depths. To make up for their lack of standard depth charges, [[Ship:Anti-Submarine_Warfare_(ASW)#Depth_Charge_Airstrikes|some battleships and cruisers]] have access to player-launched ASW planes while some aircraft carriers have automatic ones.

== Land-Based Aircraft ==

Land-based aggressor aircraft appear in several [[Ship:Scenarios|scenarios]], notably Operation Dynamo (currently removed), Operation Hermes, and Cherry Blossom.

== Ships and Their Aircraft Weapons ==
{| class="wikitable" 
|-
! Ship Type
! Nation or Ship
! Rockets
! Bombs
! Skip Bombs
! Torpedoes
! Airstrike Bombs
! Tactical Squadron (Rockets/Torps/Bombs)
|-
| Aircraft Carrier
| USA, UK, ''[[Kaga]]'', ''[[Kaga B]]'', ''[[Sanzang]]''
| HE
| HE
| --
| yes
| --
| --
|-
| Aircraft Carrier
| Japan, ''[[Malta]]'', ''[[Graf Zeppelin]]'', ''[[Graf Zeppelin B]]'', ''[[Enterprise]]''
| HE
| AP
| --
| yes
| --
| --
|-
| Aircraft Carrier
| Germany
| AP
| AP
| --
| yes
| --
| --
|-
| Aircraft Carrier
| USSR
| HE
| --
| HE
| yes
| --
| --
|-
| Aircraft Carrier
| ''[[Independence]]'', ''[[Yorktown]]'', ''[[Essex]]''
| --
| --
| --
| yes
| --
| HE/No/HE
|-
| Aircraft Carrier
| ''[[Ship:Ocean|Ocean]]''
| --
| --
| --
| yes
| --
| HE/No/HE
|-
| Aircraft Carrier
| ''[[Taihō]]''
| --
| AP
| --
| yes
| --
| HE/No/No
|-
| Aircraft Carrier
| ''[[United States]]''
| HE
| HE
| --
| --
| --
| HE/Yes/HE
|-
| Aircraft Carrier
| ''[[Eagle]]''
| --
| HE
| --
| yes
| --
| HE/Yes/HE
|-
| Aircraft Carrier
| ''[[Sekiryu]]''
| HE
| AP
| --
| yes
| --
| HE/Yes/No
|-
| Aircraft Carrier
| ''[[Aquila]]''
| AP
| --
| --
| yes
| --
| --
|-
| Aircraft Carrier
| ''[[Colossus]]'', ''[[Erich Loewenhardt]]''
| AP
| HE
| --
| yes
| --
| --
|-
| Aircraft Carrier
| ''[[Max Immelmann]]''
| --
| --
| HE
| yes
| --
| --
|-
| Aircraft Carrier
| ''[[Chkalov]]''
| --
| HE
| HE
| yes
| --
| --
|-
| Aircraft Carrier
| ''[[Indomitable]]''
| HE
| HE
| --
| --
| --
| --
|-
| Aircraft Carrier
| ''[[Béarn]]''
| --
| AP
| HE
| --
| --
| --
|-
| Aircraft Carrier
| ''[[Hornet]]''
| --
| AP
| --
| yes
| --
| No/No/HE
|-
| Aircraft Carrier
| ''[[Theseus]]''
| --
| --
| HE
| yes
| --
| --
|-
| Aircraft Carrier
| ''[[Shinano]]''
| --
| --
| AP
| yes
| --
| No/No/HE
|-
| Battleship
| ''[[Ise]]''
| --
| --
| --
| yes
| --
| --
|-
| Battleship
| ''[[Kearsarge]]''
| HE
| --
| --
| --
| --
| --
|-
| Battleship
|''[[Nebraska]]'', ''[[Delaware]]'', ''[[Louisiana]]''
| --
| HE
| --
| --
| --
| --
|-
| Battleship
| ''[[Willem de Eerste]]''
| --
| --
| --
| --
| HE
| --
|-
| Cruiser
| ''[[Tone]]''
| --
| --
| --
| yes
| --
| --
|-
| Cruiser
| ''[[Chikuma II]]''
| --
| --
| --
| yes
| --
| --
|-
| Cruiser
| ''[[Hildebrand]]''
| --
| HE
| --
| yes
| --
| --
|-
| Cruiser
| ''[[Kommissar]]''
| HE
| --
| --
| --
| --
| --
|-
| Cruiser
| ''[[Amiral Lartigue]]''
| --
| --
| HE
| --
| --
| --
|-
| Cruiser
| Netherlands (Tiers VI–X)
| --
| --
| --
| --
| HE
| --
|-
| Destroyer
| ''[[Tromp]]''
| --
| --
| --
| --
| HE
| --
|-
| Destroyer
| ''[[Halford]]''
| HE
| --
| --
| --
| --
| --
|}

== Air-to-Air Combat ==
Air-to-air combat occurs automatically through the usage of the {{CAP Fighter}}, {{Catapult Fighter}} and {{Patrol Fighter}} consumables. When activated, AI-controlled fighters will appear and engage enemy aircraft within their range. The aircraft launched from the Catapult Fighter and CAP Fighter consumables will follow their host ship, while Patrol Fighters will remain where they were activated. All three consumables have limited life spans.

=== Fighters on the Mini-map ===
Each fighter squadron has a radius of action.  When deployed, the squadron appears on the mini-map as a '''filled-in circle''' showing its range of action.  The color is red for enemy and green for friend.  The squadron will attack enemy aircraft that stray into that circle; attack aircraft should avoid entering a red circle. 

== Notes ==
With Update 0.8.0, the various fighters may attack and shoot down enemy bombers, but no longer affect their aiming.  [https://worldofwarships.com/en/news/development/cv8-how-to-play/#consumables The New Aircraft Carriers: How Best to Use Them?]

<references />
<br><br>
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_carrier-based_aircraft List of carrier-based aircraft (Wikipedia)]<br>

From ''World of Warships'' News: 
* [https://worldofwarships.com/en/news/general-news/naval-legends-essex-aircraft/ Naval Legends: Essex Aircraft] Nov. 2015<br />
* [https://worldofwarships.com/en/news/history/see-planes/ Naval Legends - Aviation: Part 1] Nov. 2017<br />
* [https://worldofwarships.com/en/news/history/flying-fury/ Naval Legends - Aviation: Part 2] Nov. 2017<br />
* [https://worldofwarships.com/en/news/history/naval-aviation-1/ USSR Reconnaissance Aircraft] June 2018<br />
* [https://worldofwarships.com/en/news/history/naval-aviation-2/ Naval Aviation: How to Set a Plane on Floats] (Naval Aviation 2) July 2018<br>
* [https://worldofwarships.com/en/news/history/naval-aviation-3/ Naval Aviation: A Shift from Second to Third-Generation Fighter Aircraft] (Naval Aviation 3) Aug. 2018<br />
* [https://worldofwarships.com/en/news/history/naval-aviation-4/ Great Britain: The Shift from Second to Third-Generation Fighter Aircraft] (Naval Aviation 4) Sep. 2018<br />
* [https://worldofwarships.com/en/news/history/naval-aviation-5/ Naval Aviation: From the Second to Third Generation of Fighter Aircraft of the USA] (Naval Aviation 5) Sep. 2018<br />
* [https://worldofwarships.com/en/news/history/naval-aviation-6/ Naval Aviation: The Shift from Second to Third-Generation Fighter Aircraft in Japan] (Naval Aviation 6) Nov. 2018<br />
* [https://worldofwarships.com/en/news/general-news/nl-naval-aviation-episode-1/ Naval Legends: US Carrier-Based Aircraft – Part 1] Jan. 2019<br />
* [https://worldofwarships.com/en/news/general-news/nl-naval-aviation-episode-2/ Naval Legends: US Carrier-Based Aircraft – Part 2] Jan. 2019<br />


<noinclude>[[Category:World of Warships]]
[[Category:Rules pages]]</noinclude>