ENCYCLOPEDIA OF Espionage, Intelligence, and Security Volume ...

Aircraft Carrierto known ions to determine the ionic composition ofthe sample.The pattern of the spectrum produced by the nitrate(NO) groups in an explosive such as 2,4,6–dinitrotoluene (TNT) is characteristic of the arrangementof the NO groups within the chemical structure, and isdifferent from the pattern produced by other NO-containingexplosives like nitroglycerine, ethylene glycoldinitrate nitroglycerin, cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine, andpentaerythritoltetranitrate.The spectrometer is extremely sensitive and fast.Chemicals that are present in only a few parts per billionwill be detected in about 10 seconds. Thus, even a verysmall amount of explosive carried in a pocket wouldregister in the spectrometer.Currently, the chemical analysis of the air plume isgeared towards the detection of explosives. The incorporationof other sensors, such as the “electronic nose” thatcan detect and identify some bacteria based on the uniquechemical vapors given off by the cells will enable biologicalanalysis of air plumes in addition to chemical analysis.Incorporating a metal detector into the device could enableone device to be used to screen for conventional,chemical, and biological weapons.❚ FURTHER READING:BOOKS:Settles, Gary S. Schlieren and Shadowgraph Techniques.Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag, 2001.PERIODICALS:Crabb, C. “Biosensors Enliven the Science of Detection.”Chemical Engineering August (1998): 35–39.Settles, G.S., and W.J. McCann. “Potential for Portal Detectionof Human Chemical and Biological Contamination.”SPIEAerosense no. 4378 (2001): paper 01.SEE ALSOAir and Water Purification, Security IssuesBiosensor TechnologiesGas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer❚ JUDSON KNIGHTAircraft CarrierSometimes characterized as “floating cities,” aircraft carriersare a potent symbol of America’s strength as asuperpower. Although nations ranging from the UnitedKingdom and Russia to Peru and Thailand have their lightcarrier and helicopter carriers, the large carriers of theUnited States are without parallel in ability and firepower.Carriers provide an important means of force projectionEncyclopedia of Espionage, Intelligence, and Securityfrom the continental United States to any theatre, nomatter how hostile, and offer a floating platform for missionsthat include both combat and intelligence-gathering.As President William J. Clinton said during a visit tothe carrier Theodore Roosevelt in the 1990s, “When wordof crisis breaks out in Washington, it’s no accident that thefirst question that comes to everyone’s lips is, ‘where isthe nearest carrier?’”Components in the Carrier ConceptThe carrier is one of the leading means for force projection,or the ability to project an aggregation of militarypersonnel from the continental United States (or anothertheatre) in response to military requirements. As long as itoperates in international waters, a carrier needs no permissionto conduct landings or overflights. These floatingmilitary bases constitute sovereign U.S. territory capableof moving over the oceans—70% of Earth’s surface—inthe service of U.S. interests.Carriers make possible a variety of options. They maybe used to insert forces ashore; on the other hand, theirpresence is so intimidating that they may be used simplyto “show the flag,” or remind hostile powers of the U.S.presence. They are capable of attacking airborne, seaborne, or land targets, and engage in sustained operationsin support of other forces—for example, the ground forcesdeployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.Battle groups and air wings. National command authoritiesdo not deploy carriers alone. Rather, the carrier is thecenter of a battle group, a force of a half-dozen or moreships. The carrier battle group, or CVBG, may be used toprotect merchant or military shipping; to provide protectionto a Marine amphibious source en route to, or arrivingin, an objective area; or to establish a naval presence insupport of national security interestsMembers of a battle group may include at least onedestroyer and one frigate, two attack submarines, twoguided missile cruisers, one guided missile destroyer, anda logistical support ship. Destroyers and frigates are primarilyfor anti-submarine warfare, while attack submarines,as their name implies, attack both enemy submarinesand ships. Both guided missile cruisers and destroyersare multi-mission surface combatants, the first type armedwith Tomahawk cruise missiles for long-range strike capability,and the second equipped for anti-aircraft warfare.The logistical support ship is usually a combined ammunition,oiler, and supply vessel.Additionally, the carrier—by definition—serves as ahome base for a number of aircraft, known as the carrierair wing. These typically include three squadrons of F/A-18Hornets, which are all-weather fighter and attack aircraft,and one squadron of F-14 Tomcats, made for fleet airdefense and precision strikes against ground targets. Alongwith these are one squadron of S-3B Vikings, the primaryoverhead/mission tanker, which is equipped for day and17