Are Aircraft Launch and Recovery Specialists at Risk Due to AI?

Operate and maintain catapults, arresting gear, and associated mechanical, hydraulic, and control systems involved primarily in aircraft carrier takeoff and landing operations. Duties include installing and maintaining visual landing aids; testing and maintaining launch and recovery equipment using electric and mechanical test equipment and hand tools; activating airfield arresting systems, such as crash barriers and cables, during emergency landing situations; directing aircraft launch and recovery operations using hand or light signals; and maintaining logs of airplane launches, recoveries, and equipment maintenance.

The occupation "Aircraft Launch and Recovery Specialists" has a base automation risk of 0.0%, reflecting the exceptionally hands-on and dynamic nature of its core responsibilities. These specialists are tasked with the critical operation of launching and recovering aircraft—often on aircraft carriers or airfields—where the environment is high-stakes, unpredictable, and requires split-second decision-making. The low risk of automation arises because these tasks demand real-time human judgment, interpersonal coordination, and direct response to rapidly changing variables such as weather, equipment malfunctions, or emergency scenarios. Despite advances in robotics, no current automation technology can fully replicate the discernment and adaptability needed in such settings. As a result, this profession remains highly resistant to the encroachment of full automation. Among the most automatable tasks within this job are data logging of launch and recovery cycles, routine equipment status reporting, and basic inventory management for consumables and tools. These tasks typically involve standardized, repetitive actions that can be streamlined by simple software solutions or data-entry automation tools. However, even in these areas, human oversight is usually required to ensure accuracy and to interpret anomalies that automated systems might overlook. While technology can aid efficiency in these routine functions, it has not—and likely cannot—replace the necessity for human involvement in the core mission-critical operations of the role. Conversely, the most resistant tasks involve direct coordination with flight crews and deck teams during operations, quick troubleshooting of mechanical safety systems under duress, and dynamic adjustment to rapidly evolving weather or operational conditions. These activities rely heavily on bottleneck skills such as situational awareness (expert), decision-making under pressure (expert), and precise manual dexterity (advanced). Additionally, strong communication skills (advanced) are essential for orchestrating safe and efficient launches and recoveries amidst the high noise and pace of active flight decks. These skill sets serve as formidable barriers to automation, as they intertwine physical, cognitive, and interpersonal abilities that no automated system currently matches.