Smaller carriers drive steam catapults and angled decks

Heavier aircraft increased strike range and payload because they could carry more fuel and weapons, but they also demanded more launch energy and safer recovery methods. The steam catapult supplied the power needed to accelerate those aircraft from a short deck. The angled flight deck let a pilot miss the arresting wires and fly on without crashing into parked aircraft, while also separating launch and recovery activity. The stabilized mirror landing sight gave pilots a repeatable visual glide-path reference instead of relying on alignment with the island. Together, these British systems reduced accidents, retained trained aircrew, and increased the speed of carrier operations.