Aircraft carrier ships can carry out rapid evasive maneuvers when facing incoming threats such as missiles, drones, or artillery fire. These high-speed turns, changes in speed, and unpredictable movements are designed to confuse or disrupt the enemy’s weapon targeting systems. Although such maneuvers can be highly effective in increasing a ship’s survivability, they also create risks for flight operations on the deck.

An image of a U.S. Navy nuclear aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln-class Nimitz conducting a high-speed turn during an exercise in May 2017 (Atlantic Ocean)