I think here many forgot the basic geometry.
Based on the public endurance of the Hawkeye and Ka31, one nimitz can secure 800 km radius sea area around the carrier ( defined as area where the Hawkeye can detect another ship) , the three kuz type with ka31 can secure 1000 km radius of area. ( 10600 m altitude vs 80 meter , 3000 m altitude vs 80 meter)
Now, for air interception missions the situation same , the fact one of the three carrier closer to the target will negate all advantage of catapult.
The only case when it will be different will be the case of sustained , high tempo attack operations, when the carrier has to launch a lot of sortie in short period of time with full load.
But securing area, provide targeting data, hunt P-8 or other anti submarine aircraft the more carrier is better, even without catapult.
So, the decision about the type of the carrier OR the mixture of carrier types will be centred around the expected mission types.
Based on the public endurance of the Hawkeye and Ka31, one nimitz can secure 800 km radius sea area around the carrier ( defined as area where the Hawkeye can detect another ship) , the three kuz type with ka31 can secure 1000 km radius of area. ( 10600 m altitude vs 80 meter , 3000 m altitude vs 80 meter)
Now, for air interception missions the situation same , the fact one of the three carrier closer to the target will negate all advantage of catapult.
The only case when it will be different will be the case of sustained , high tempo attack operations, when the carrier has to launch a lot of sortie in short period of time with full load.
But securing area, provide targeting data, hunt P-8 or other anti submarine aircraft the more carrier is better, even without catapult.
So, the decision about the type of the carrier OR the mixture of carrier types will be centred around the expected mission types.