This monograph will examine the changing roles and missions of the carrier platform in Service, Joint, and Allied/combined planning and will assess the Navy's plans for a new generation aircraft carrier. In so doing, the authors seek to place into context Congressional and OSD consideration of the CVX program, while offering new insights into the operational utility of a carrier platform that will incorporate revolutionary manning techniques, rely on advanced revolution in military affairs (RMA) technologies, and embark a new class of aircraft for strike and reconnaissarice missions. Also discussed is the CVX's technological advances as compared to current generation Nimitz-class carriers, its enhanced self-protection techniques, new operational concepts for its employment, and its affordability.