A significant improvement of Essex-class ships like the Bunker Hill over the other US carriers at the time was that they were equipped with a more heavily armored deck, plus a second armored deck on the hangar level designed to detonate bombs before they reached the vital machinery and electronic spaces below.
The Essex-class ships, like the Bunker Hill, were distinguished by their enhanced armor plating compared to other US carriers of the time. They featured a more robust deck and an additional armored deck on the hangar level designed to detonate bombs before they reached the critical machinery and electronic compartments below.