the power of a carrier is the ability to launch attacks but not BE attacked.
That was true for a LONG time because the range of most aircraft was longer than the best anti-ship missiles of the time.
That’s no longer true:
Even POOR countries have the tech to reach out and threaten our carriers with missiles.
To be close enough to launch airstrikes the carrier must come within the range of some missiles.
We could easily correct the equation with robotic strike aircraft; Northrop-Grumman spent about a billion bucks and had one almost ready.
Suddenly cancelled, now that program exists only as an UNstealthy, flying robotic gas station, and even that role will not be ready for at least 1 or 2 years.
It’s original role as a stealthy attack plane is GONE.
Nah..! They're going to hang all sorts of noisy, stupid re-fueling stuff allll over it.
It will refuel planes, sure, but it will also light up the skies.
It will not look like this.
Everyone will see it flying around.
A drogue or boom will be trailing it, like a big, noisy poo-poo.
True. That is why I get nervous every time we send a carrier into the Persian/Arabian gulf.
The navy shot itself in the foot not replacing the long range carrier defense the F-14 provided.