Modern United States Navy aircraft carrier air operations include the operation of fixed-wing and rotary aircraft on and around an aircraft carrier for performance of combat or noncombat missions. The
The flight deck of USS Abraham Lincoln
F-14D Tomcat launches from the flight deck of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71)
Vice Adm. Richard W. Hunt crosses the rainbow sideboys during an arrival aboard USS Abraham Lincoln
The rainbow sideboys salute as Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus boards the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis
Arresting gear
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An arresting gear, or arrestor gear, is a mechanical system used to rapidly decelerate an aircraft as it lands. Arresting gear on aircraft carriers is an essential component of naval aviation, and it
An F-14 Tomcat descends to make an arresting gear landing on the flight deck of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) in 2002
Fairey III-F aircraft landing on board British aircraft carrier HMS Furious circa early 1930s. Arresting gear wires are visible above the flight deck
A cross-deck pendant milliseconds after an aircraft nose-wheel passes over it. The arched supports are leaf springs that raise the pendant above the flight deck.
A Grumman A-6 Intruder about to catch the #3 wire.