Agreed. I served on carriers during the Cold War. Very big targets, everyone on board realized if a serious shootin’ war ever broke out we’d last about 5 minutes. Whatever got us wouldn’t survive either, OTOH a sub or plane is a worthwhile tradeoff for a flat top.
Even the Alternate Command Center within the Cheyenne Mountain Complex can be destroyed by an enemy nuclear strike. That doesn't mean it should be done away with.
The U.S. has used big carriers many times since WWII to our advantage. And as long as we have the right mix of nuclear and conventional weapons - and a tough Republican president - our big carriers are probably safe.
If a Democrat is elected president, all bets are off.
A carrier is a primary target not for being a huge target yo, it is a primary target because it is a floating frakin’ base for strike aircraft.....
It is almost impossible to sink a CVN out right. A heavily damaged warship can be repaired but we need to re industrialize the USA. That is the core problem. Thanks Free Traitors™.