HOW DO THEY FIT 80 AIRCRAFTS IN AN AIRCRAFT CARRIER

Naval aircrafts have folding wings. With the wings folded, more aircrafts can be accommodated on board within the limited space.

080603-N-2638R-010 PACIFIC OCEAN (June 3, 2008) An E-2C Hawkeye assigned to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAQ) 115 taxis across the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Bryan Reckard

061116-N-7130B-064 Pacific Ocean (Nov. 16, 2006) - A plane captain cleans the canopy of an F/A-18E Super Hornet in preparation for nighttime flight operations aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). The Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is currently underway, conducting routine carrier operations in the southern California operating area. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Burden

FOLDING THE WINGS AFTER LANDING 050120-N-2838C-002 Atlantic Ocean (Jan. 20, 2005) - An S-3B Viking, assigned to the "Scouts" of Sea Control Squadron Two Four (VS-24), folds its wings after recovering aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). Most Navy aircraft are equipped with folding wings due to the limited space on the flight deck and hangar bay about aircraft carriers. Theodore Roosevelt is conducting flight deck certification in the Atlantic Ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Michael Cole

LOWERING THE WINGS BEFORE TAKEOFF 070720-N-8119R-083 PERSIAN GULF (July 20, 2007) - An EA-6B Prowler, assigned to the “Black Ravens” of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 135, lowers its wings while Sailors do last minute safety checks before launch aboard nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz Strike Group and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are deployed in the 5th Fleet area of operations conducting maritime operations and supporting the global war on terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Gretchen M. Roth

MOST WINGS FOLD UPWARDS 080415-N-1276B-005 PACIFIC OCEAN (April 15, 2008) Sailors assigned to the "Black Aces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41 change out the missile launcher bottle on the wing of an F/A-18F Super Hornet strike fighter aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz is operating as part of the U.S. 7th Fleet in the western Pacific and Indian oceans. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Orrin Batiste

080403-N-2838C-007 ATLANTIC OCEAN (April 3, 2008) An F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornets prepare for launch aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt. Theodore Roosevelt and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 are conducting tailored ship's training availability and final evaluation problem. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael Cole

SOME FOLD UP AND IN 080708-N-7981E-023 GULF OF OMAN (July 8, 2008) An aircraft director guides an EA-6B Prowler assigned to the "Lancers" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 131 onto one of the bow catapults aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility to support maritime security operations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class James R. Evans

080620-N-6538W-098 PACIFIC OCEAN (June 20, 2008) Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd Class Stephen Guz from the "Vikings" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129 tightens tie-down chains on an EA-6B Prowler following flight operations aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Stennis and multiple embarked fleet replacement squadrons are conducting fleet replacement squadron carrier qualifications (FRSCQ) off the coast of Southern California. FRSCQ's are conducted to qualify naval aviators in day and night carrier operations in the aircraft they will fly during their aviation career. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Walter M. Wayman

080411-N-3038W-150 PACIFIC OCEAN (April 11, 2008) An EA-6B Prowler assigned to the "Black Ravens" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 135 taxis to a catapult aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz is operating as part of the U.S. 7th Fleet in the western Pacific and Indian oceans. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman John Wagner

080322-N-7883G-087 PACIFIC OCEAN (March 22, 2008) An EA-6B Prowler, assigned to the Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136, prepares to launch aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk is conducting routine carrier operations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kyle D. Gahlau

A FEW FOLDS TO THE BACK 080603-N-2638R-010 PACIFIC OCEAN (June 3, 2008) An E-2C Hawkeye assigned to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAQ) 115 taxis across the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Bryan Reckard

080629-N-4009P-288 PACIFIC (June 29, 2008) Side boys render honors to U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines Kristie Kenney aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). At the request of the government of the Republic of the Philippines, Reagan is off the coast of Panay Island providing humanitarian assistance and disaster response in the wake of Typhoon Fengshen. Ronald Reagan and other U.S. Navy ships are operating in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility to promote peace, cooperation and stability. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joe Painter

WITH THE WINGS FOLDED, MORE AIRCRAFTS CAN BE ACCOMMODATED ON BOARD WITHIN THE LIMITED SPACE 080701-N-9500T-062 PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (June 24, 2008) The aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) arrives in Pearl Harbor prior to the start of exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2008. RIMPAC is the world's largest multinational exercise and is scheduled biennially by the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Participants include the United States, Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, the Netherlands, Peru, Republic of Korea, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. U.S Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Scott Taylor

BELOW DECK 080319-N-0640K-132 PACIFIC OCEAN (March 19, 2008) A plane captain assigned to the "Cougars" of Tactical Electric Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 139 performs maintenance on an EA-6B Prowler in the hangar bay of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan is conducting carrier qualifications with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jennifer S. Kimball

080319-N-0555B-015 PACIFIC OCEAN (March 19, 2008) Aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 fill the hangar bay of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) to full capacity for the first time in more than three months. Reagan is conducting carrier qualifications with CVW-14 in preparation for an upcoming deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher D. Blachly