Compare the best aircraft carrier mods for MSFS 2020, including payware, freeware, moving decks, catapults, arresting wires and Xbox limits.
For MSFS 2020, Miltech Simulations Supercarrier Pro is the best all-in-one aircraft carrier add-on. On PC, freeware moving-carrier packages paired with Kinetic Assistant are the best freeware-based alternative. Global AI Ship Traffic suits naval ambience rather than repeated catapult launches and arrested landings, because a visible or landable deck is not necessarily functional.
Which MSFS 2020 carrier mod is best?
Choose Supercarrier Pro for an integrated package, a compatible freeware carrier plus Kinetic Assistant for low-cost PC operations, or Global AI Ship Traffic when moving naval traffic matters more than working catapults.
| Carrier option | Best for | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Miltech Simulations Supercarrier Pro | The most complete payware experience, with carrier groups and integrated launch and recovery functions | Aircraft and platform compatibility still needs checking before purchase |
| Superspud moving-carrier packages with Kinetic Assistant | Freeware carrier operations on PC | Requires a separate helper and a carrier configured to work with it |
| Global AI Ship Traffic | Moving ships, naval traffic and believable carrier-group activity | It is not primarily a catapult-and-arrestor system, and not every deck is operational |
| Static hard-deck carrier scenery | Reliable landing practice at a fixed location | Usually lacks movement, catapults or working arresting wires |
Supercarrier Pro is our first choice for simmers who expect to fly carrier operations regularly. A static freeware carrier is often better for learning approaches, however: it is easier to find, does not expose moving-platform limitations and stays aligned with the approach course.
The Top Gun carrier activity, where installed, is a self-contained challenge rather than a reusable free-flight carrier mod. Our explanation of MSFS 2020 carrier locations and free-flight availability covers that distinction.
What makes an aircraft carrier mod functional?
A functional MSFS carrier needs more than a detailed ship model; deck collision, launch logic and arresting-wire logic are separate features.
- Hard deck: The deck has collision geometry, so the aircraft can land instead of falling through the ship.
- Arresting system: The add-on or companion utility recognises the aircraft, tailhook and cable zone, then applies the stopping force.
- Catapult system: The aircraft can be attached to a launch position and accelerated using the package's prescribed sequence.
- Moving platform: The ship follows a route, although movement can cause deck sliding, bouncing or synchronisation problems.
- Spawn support: A carrier may be landable without appearing as a departure point on the world map.
Animated deck crew, parked aircraft and an animated tailhook do not prove that the wires work. Likewise, Kinetic Assistant cannot turn every visual ship into an operational carrier unless the scenery supplies suitable deck and carrier-zone data.
Aircraft compatibility matters just as much as the carrier. The default F/A-18 is a useful baseline, while STOVL aircraft need a hard deck but not necessarily catapult or arresting support. Our guide to compatible fighter add-ons for MSFS helps with choosing the aircraft side of the combination.
Do aircraft carrier mods work on Xbox?
Xbox can use only carrier packages distributed through the simulator's console add-on system; it cannot load arbitrary Community-folder mods or run a Windows helper such as Kinetic Assistant.
Check that the carrier explicitly supports Xbox and that catapult and arresting functions are included on that platform. A package available on both PC and Xbox can still have different functionality. MSFS 2020 was never released for PlayStation.
Why do the arresting wires or catapult not work?
Most carrier failures come from using visual scenery as though it were an operational carrier, missing a required helper, or pairing the carrier with an unsupported aircraft.
- The aircraft falls through the deck: The model lacks a hardened collision surface, the wrong model variant has loaded, or an old duplicate package is conflicting with it.
- The hook passes over the wires: The carrier has no arresting logic, the companion utility is not running, or the aircraft is not recognised by that system.
- The catapult does nothing: The aircraft is outside the defined launch zone or the package-specific attachment sequence has not been completed.
- The carrier is missing: Moving carriers may follow scheduled routes and may not have a world-map icon. Use the supplied coordinates, route or flight plan.
- The aircraft slides or bounces: Moving decks can expose MSFS platform-motion limitations. Return to normal simulation rate, avoid slewing on the deck and test a static carrier variant.
Weather is another trap. A moving carrier does not necessarily turn into the simulated wind, while a static one cannot. Set suitable wind direction and strength yourself when practising approaches. For the flying technique, use our F/A-18 approach, groove and arrested-landing guidance.
How should I install and test a carrier add-on?
- Read the requirements first. Confirm whether the package is scenery only, includes its own carrier logic or needs a separate utility.
- Install the carrier correctly. Follow its installer when supplied. For manual PC packages, make sure the package containing
manifest.jsonis not buried inside an extra folder; our MSFS 2020 Community-folder instructions cover the usual layouts. - Remove obsolete copies. Two versions of the same carrier can produce duplicate ships, missing collision or unpredictable loading.
- Use the documented location. Do not assume that a third-party carrier will appear as an airport or departure point.
- Begin airborne nearby. Moving-carrier cold starts are often unreliable, so test the deck, hook and catapult before building a full flight around the add-on.
- Test one system at a time. Confirm that the deck is solid, then test arrestment, followed by catapult launch and finally moving-deck behaviour.
For most PC users, Supercarrier Pro is the strongest complete package. The Superspud and Kinetic Assistant combination is the better freeware route, while a static hard-deck carrier remains the most dependable choice for practising approaches and traps.