David E. Powell wrote:
If the EU is looking for more reach without carriers, how about heavy
bombers? Certainly something on the order of B-1B as far as airframe might
be a goal, or something less radical. It depends on their budget and
requirements, I guess. From bases in Europe they could cover much of Africa,
the Middle East, etc.

Of course if they wanted to go somewhere with fighters they might need
escort, etc.

Actually the EU member states have carefully studied the relative effectiveness
of the USN and USAF and most have concluded that the correct platforms for power
projection in the future will be carriers and submarines. ;-)

-HJC