Through his own channels, Raeder knew that there was a plan within the Navy to transform the aviation cruiser, and the value of this type of ship with naval guns and a certain number of aircraft was that it could have a certain amount of aviation power without occupying the tonnage of the aircraft carrier. This point of aircraft may not be anything in the battle of the capital ship, but in the cruising operation, then there are only three or four aircraft, then there can also be a considerable advantage in reconnaissance, if it can be loaded with bombs, then the effect is even better!

So in the cruiser tender plan developed by the German Navy, there is also a special aviation cruiser project, and Raeder is trying to get involved in this project. "The purpose of an aviation cruiser is to fight with naval guns and aviation. Naval guns are used to deal with low- and medium-threat targets and merchant ships, while air power is used to provide reconnaissance and tackle more difficult targets, such as opposing heavy cruisers, and to provide air defense cover if necessary. In his discussion of the aviation cruiser, Raeder described this type of ship as follows.

Aviation cruisers are inefficient, that's right...... In fact, it is exactly 1+1 in tonnage