Future Naval Aircraft and Aircraft Carrier Design: A Study of Aircraft/Ship Interface

Abstract

ABSTRACT There are two significant efforts underway which will greatly affect naval aviation. The first is the CVX study, an effort to define the next class of aircraft carriers. The second is an effort to define the next class of naval aircraft, both tactical and support types. These two efforts are in the beginning stages, with projected completion dates in similar time frames; CVX construction is proposed to start in 2006, JSF IOC is in the 2008 timeframe, and the current support aircraft will require replacement starting in 2011. The purpose of this paper is to quantitatively examine the need for close coupling of the ship and aircraft design processes. First, the design space for potential aircraft is described by defining design constraints using current and past aircraft carriers as CVX surrogates. Next, the range of possible capability tradeoffs between the ship and the aircraft are examined, as the launch and recovery mechanisms are transferred from the ship to the aircraft. Quantitative examples are provided to analyze the parameters associated with the ship/aircraft interface, including both conventional catapult and arresting gear, and no catapult and arresting gear, implying a vertical or short takeoff and landing capability. Finally, recommendations are made for an aircraft/ship design procedure stressing a closely coupled iterative approach.