Arrestor wires are thick steel cables fitted to the aft end of the flight deck on CTOL and STOBAR aircraft carriers. The cables allow CTOL aircraft to land safely on the short runway by connecting with a hook attached to the aircraft. When caught, the wire takes up the slack before pulling taut, bring the aeroplane to a dead stop. Most aircraft carriers have four wires - naval aviators receive marks for each landing, with the best mark being gained for catching the third wire (third from the front).

An aircraft about to catch the wire

An aircraft coming to a stop