“but in an age of surface to surface missiles they are floating targets”
No, they are not.
They are the most protected asset in the US Military.
Additionally, every other country knows that the price of a US Aircraft Carrier is existential war.
Carl Vinson to visit DaNang.
You are imagining a conflict in which every defensive weapon performs as advertised, according to the manufacturer’s claims. Those weapons have not been battle tested, and there remain serious doubts whether they can perform as promised. Let us hope and pray that the defensive armaments aboard our main battle carriers - and their escorts - perform as promised.
Great statement, any attack on a US Carrier has the potential to bring total destruction to any nation, including China and Russia.