Anti-ship missiles are currently the greatest threat to aircraft carriers.
Both the Russians and the Chinese have them. Apparently, we do not have much defense for them (though I hope I am incorrect here).
My guess is that Iran is in possession of some of those “toys.”
So, yes, target practice. Just as the AF uses (or, at least, used to use) pull older, decommissioned planes behind real jets (on VERY long tethers) for target practice, or so I would assume.
The such target practice aircraft are rigged for remote control.
“So, yes, target practice. Just as the AF uses (or, at least, used to use) pull older, decommissioned planes behind real jets (on VERY long tethers) for target practice, or so I would assume.”
I saw that while stationed on Okinawa. F86’s pulled far behind, and a pair of eagles following over the East China Sea...