Originally Posted by
FODPlod
That's the raison d'etre of the Type 45 AD (Air Defence) destroyers and any accompanying allied AD escorts, not to mention the F-35B in AD role.
The enemy also has the C4ISTAR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Information/Intelligence, Surveillance, Targeting Acquisition and Reconnaissance) problem of getting close enough to the carrier to locate and and identify it, not to mention providing accurate targeting information to any ASMs.
FS Charles de Gaulle with her Rafales and USS Kearsarge with her much shorter range AV-8Bs managed well enough off Libya during ELLAMY. Their aircraft were able to fly multiple sorties each day owing to their closer proximity to the target area.
Plus - Type 23 or Type 26 frigates will provide extended point defence. Also air to air refuelling will extend the range of F-35B.
Here is an interesting link that was found by an RAF contact on another site. It debunks many of the lazy myths surrounding the carriers:
The myths surrounding the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers