A country must decide what operations it expects its carrier to perform and how it will justify the capability. Catapult-assisted takeoff and arrested recovery offers the widest choice of heavy aircraft. Political constraints and national strategic circumstances can still favour a different solution. The choice should follow the navy's intended operations and practical needs, even when another launch system offers greater technical capability.
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Choose the carrier that fits the national mission
The technically most capable launch system is not automatically the right choice once national missions, budgets, politics, and supporting forces are considered.