Cruise missiles are not a substitute for an aircraft carrier in a war. Cruise missiles follow a programmed path towards a specified target, but a single cruise missile is intended to engage a single target.
An aircraft carrier bring lot of firepower to the desired location; combat aircraft + AWACS + troops + helicopters.
Each combat aircraft can be used to engage multiple targets in a single sortie. And an aircraft carrier can host entire squadrons of combat aircraft.
Super Hornets can be equipped with Conformal Fuel tanks to enhance their strike range:
- and they can be armed with standoff munitions to strike at potential targets from afar.
Super Hornets are very capable fighters as well. Do not be under illusion that SU-30 SM are 'magic' birds. Russian systems have much hype but little substance in comparison to assets fielded by NATO on average.
USAF does have long-range ALCM in its inventory, and appropriate methods to deliver them (long-range bombers).