[wludavid]

It's my understanding that force projection is a strategy, not a tactic. Carriers are unique in that they can put a small piece of American "soil" anywhere on the globe in a few days. They are simply too big to be ignored, whereas a sub is too small/unobtrusive to not be ignored.

That said, I think Blue Water Navies are just waiting out a death sentence right now. Aside from a carrier battle group's "mobile soil" ability, the only thing I think they bring to the table is anti-piracy and shipping protection. Large ships are worthless for anti-piracy work, and subs could protect shipping.

As an aside, we CAN'T overestimate the need for shipping route protection in an era where more and more of our industrial capacity comes from overseas.