> Large aircraft are the cheapest and most scalable way to deliver a ton of explosive on target.

An important variable missing from your calculus is distance from munitions factory/supply depot. There are far cheaper and scalable ways to deliver tons of explosives if your supply lines are short, such as rail when you're defending your homeland. Carrier groups are both transport and FOBs

> You should also consider that it is much more difficult to sink a large ship than a small ship.

How did that turn out for the Russian Black Sea flagship, the Moskva?