Air superiority fighters are currently not at risk of being shot down by drone systems. Strategic airfields and carriers have surface to air countermeasures. A

Air superiority fighters are currently not at risk of being shot down by drone systems. Strategic airfields and carriers have surface to air countermeasures. All known systems are at risk of saturation attacks but they are wasteful methods of attack (especially if your opponent is on high alert). I think you're underestimating how scary the E2 and E2D AWACS are in conjunction with the defensive countermeasures a carrier has at their disposal. Everyone lies about how amazing their weapons are, but the CIWS and the E2D are old, well known, and very scary defensive systems. Truly what's most scary about China's military right now is their advanced linked radar networks. They, presumably, can render stealth technology useless in some core areas - thus denying the core features of the F35 and F22 craft. (Also remember the US has a base in Guam and a shitload of in-air tankers - over 500)