escort carrier

An escort carrier is a small aircraft carrier, often converted from a cargo ship, primarily used for antisubmarine warfare. During World War II, the need to protect merchant convoys from submarine attacks led to the large-scale production of escort carriers, mainly in the United States. Many of these were converted merchant ships or built on hulls intended for merchant service. The Royal Navy also adapted some tankers and grain carriers by adding flight decks, allowing them to retain their cargo roles; these were known as MAC ships, or merchant aircraft carriers. While larger aircraft carriers revolutionized naval warfare by extending battle ranges significantly, escort carriers played a crucial role in convoy protection.123