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"Carrier killers" have been a round for a long time. They are called submarines.
There are two kinds of ships in existence...submarines and targets. I have seen the sausage made. Mk-48 and Mk-48 ADCAP torpedoes can be guided from a submarine by wires attached to the torpedo. They can also use their own active or passive sensors to execute programmed target search, acquisition, and attack procedures. The torpedo is designed to detonate under the keel of a surface ship, breaking the ship's back and destroying its structural integrity. In the event of a miss, it can circle back for another attempt. It knows the difference between a whale and a ship, and it's capable of outrunning any surface ship.
The Mk 37 torpedo is a little less sophisticated, but it is battery powered and absolutely silent. The Mk 45 torpedo is a tactical nuclear weapon that doesn't even enable at less than 5 miles. With the Mk 45, close definitely counts.
Each of our carrier groups has a nuclear fast attack sub as an escort. They all carry these weapons. A surface ship against an American sub is no contest.
Our American submarine captains are very autonomous when the SHTF. They don't wait for orders.