They are floating airfields that can deploy a nation's military might across the world's oceans. In May 1912, the first plane took off from a moving warship, HMS Hibernia, temporarily adapted for the purpose. The idea of dedicated floating platforms had been mooted in 1909, but it wasn't until 1918 that HMS Argus became the first proper carrier. Today, ownership of a carrier for fixed-wing aircraft admits a nation to an elite club, but the US has more than everyone else in the world put together. The UK is currently not a member, but this month has seen a significant milestone on the country's journey to retaking its place.
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