Aircraft Carrier vs Cruise Missile 2

Contrary to what you may hear, the core of the fleet is no longer the aircraft carrier, with her scores of jets and helicopters, but the cruise missile firing warship. Whether fired from surface or submarines, the US Navy has become one vast missile magazine since the 1980’s. The aircraft carrier, in contrast has taken a subservient role to one of support of ground troops, just as the battleship became in WW 2. During a crisis the President now asks “where are the Tomahawk launchers”, which since the 1st Gulf War have been the first to respond. The 100 or so cruise missile capable ships in commission are less vulnerable and cheaper than the massive $5 billion aircraft carriers.
The cruise missile does have its limitations, such as not being able to provide close air support for troops, which the carriers do superbly. The Marines get around this by carrying their aircraft with them. The V/STOL fighters these troops possess could be spread around the fleet, increasing their survivability in the cruise missile age.