their life they were however known as aircraft carriers. Aircraft cruisers Early types (fully functional heavy cruisers, but incorporated a heavy seaplane element for scouting purposes) (built as an aircraft cruiser but never operated as such) Later types VSTOL Support Ship (proposed) Interdiction Assault Ship (Proposed) Helicopters only See also Aviation-capable naval vessels CAM ship Fighter catapult ship Merchant aircraft carrier Seaplane tender Notes Bibliography External links Aircraft cruiser classes Cruisers Ship types