What does an increased V2 improve in terms of takeoff performance?

An increased V2 speed enhances the second segment climb gradient during takeoff. V2 is the takeoff safety speed that must be achieved by the aircraft after liftoff, particularly when one of the engines fails. At this speed, the aircraft is better positioned to maintain a positive climb rate, improving its ability to maneuver in the air while climbing away from the runway.

When V2 is increased, it provides more margin for safe operation in the event of an engine failure. A higher V2 ensures that the aircraft has a greater excess power available during the critical second segment of the climb, allowing for better performance in terms of altitude gain and gradient. This is crucial in terms of clearing obstacles that may be present in the aircraft's flight path during this phase of the operation.

While the other options address various aspects of flight performance, they either do not apply directly to V2's role or represent effects that may not be prominent when considering the specific impact of increased V2 on takeoff performance.