Initially classified as "aircraft carriers" (CV), all were re-designated "small aircraft carriers" (CVL) on 15 July 1943 while four ships were still under construction.
De var till en början klassificerade som "hangarfartyg" (CV) men omklassificerades till "små hangarfartyg" (CVL) den 15 juli 1943 medan fyra fartyg fortfarande var under konstruktion.