Aircraft carrier

An aircraft carrier is a warship designed to support and operate aircraft, engage in attacks on targets afloat or ashore, and engage in sustained operations in support of other forces. The largest and most capable carriers have catapults that can, in seconds, accelerate small and medium aircraft to flying speed; they also have a system of arresting wires, which allows a high-performance aircraft to be brought to a stop in seconds. Smaller carriers may only be able to operate vertical or short-takeoff aircraft.