A modern counterpart to the Vigilante would rank alongside the E-2 Hawkeye among the strongest arguments for catapult-assisted take-off and arrested recovery. That system lets a carrier operate heavy specialist aircraft instead of confining the air wing to lighter types. The Vigilante paired its size with enough speed and manoeuvrability to leave some fighter escorts struggling to keep pace. Its performance depended on the launch-and-recovery infrastructure of a large catapult carrier.
Notable Point · 5:34-6:34
Catapult carriers could operate the heavy, fast Vigilante
Catapult launch and arrested recovery let US carriers operate unusually heavy specialist aircraft such as the Vigilante alongside the rest of an air wing.