What is a key feature of an aircraft carrier?

A key feature of an aircraft carrier is its ability to launch and recover aircraft. This distinctive capability makes aircraft carriers integral to naval operations, as they serve as mobile airbases that can project air power over great distances. Their flight decks are specifically designed to facilitate the take-off and landing of various types of aircraft, including fighter jets, helicopters, and reconnaissance planes. This ability allows carriers to support a wide range of missions, from combat operations to humanitarian assistance, without relying on land-based facilities.

Other options do not accurately describe the primary function of an aircraft carrier. For example, aircraft carriers are not designed to operate underwater, which rules out submersible capabilities. While they are equipped with some defensive armaments, their primary role is not that of surface combat ships equipped with heavy armament. Additionally, aircraft carriers typically have larger crew sizes due to the complexity and number of operations they conduct, which makes a small crew size an uncharacteristic feature.