The system when I was flying was called ACLS.
It is far more sophisticated than a basic auto land system like an airline uses. A radar on the ship locks onto the aircraft, specifically to one tiny antenna, approximately 2 inches long, and then, using the ships inertial navigation system, stabilizes that aircraft in space. Asimuth and elevation corrections are sent via data link to the aircraft flight control system.
The system was so accurate, that when the FA 18 started flying it, they had to introduce a random scatter of plus or minus 6 inches, otherwise, the hook point of every single Hornet would smack into the deck with an inch or two of precision, leading to damage to the deck in that one spot.
But, as I said, the system could not anticipate the motion of the deck, and it was unable to keep the airplane, safe beyond certain pitch motion limits. That’s when the human came in - the landing signal officer’s judgment, and experience, could not be replaced by computer.
ACLS still exists, but there are much more sophisticated landing systems that are currently being operated.
Here is a 1965 article on the ACLS system.
The modern attack air
www.usni.org
The Navy was about 60 years ahead of you in their thinking…