What was considered the dominant naval weapon of World War II?

The aircraft carrier emerged as the dominant naval weapon of World War II due to its strategic capabilities and technological advancements that shifted naval warfare from battleship-centric engagements to carrier-centric operations. The key factor was the ability of aircraft carriers to launch and recover airplanes, which could strike targets well beyond the horizon, giving a significant operational range and flexibility.

Throughout the war, the effectiveness of aircraft carriers was demonstrated in several pivotal battles, most notably at Midway and the Pacific Island-hopping campaigns. The ability to project air power became a decisive factor, as carriers allowed navies to engage in offensive operations while maintaining a safe distance from the shore. The decline of the battleship, which was once seen as the centerpiece of naval fleets, illustrated the changing dynamics of naval warfare. While battleships still had firepower, their effectiveness was eclipsed by the reach and versatility offered by carrier-based aviation.

Submarines and destroyers played important roles in naval operations, with submarines providing effective covert strikes against larger ships and destroyers serving as essential escort vessels. However, it was the aircraft carrier that fundamentally changed the tactics and strategies of naval engagements during the war, leading to its status as the dominant naval weapon of the time.