[SauronOfMordor]

I just had a thought. What about a combination of a carrier and multiple Airbus-based aerial refuelers? Planes could take off from the carriers with max ordinance load and minimum fuel, fuel up in the air, and continue to their target, going back to the carrier only for more ordinance

[Jeff Head]

Our carriers used to carry their own tankers...and they still retain the capabilbility with what are known as "buddy stores". Ie. a Super Hornet with a buddy store under its wings flies along with the strike group and refuels them when necessary. Add 3-4 such Hornets to the strike group and you extend the range significantly. Theoretically, a strike group could be formed that would only be limited by the pilot's enduraance.