Self-compensating carrier aircraft recovery system

Abstract

Major improvements and expansion of the capabilities of the aircraft recovery systems that are now in service on our aircraft carriers are feasible with existing technology, without any major hardware design change and without jeopardizing the high reliability of the current hydraulic-mechanical arresting gear that was designed in the 1950s. A self-compensat ing (model-reference adaptive) control system with multiple redundancy and majority voting logic can be developed and installed on our aircraft carriers at a cost less than that of the first aircraft saved by such a system. Feasibility of a Closed-Loop Control System that eliminates the risk of aircraft losses due to an erroneous weight preset has been demonstrated by computer simulation. The installation of cable-payout transducers (encoders), of a signal processor, and a servo-actuator that can correct the mis-set of a weight adjustment lever can solve this problem. In addition, an expansion of the current design limits for off-center engagement and for weight and speed of the landing aircraft, as well as a reduction in stress levels and a corresponding increase in service life for aircraft (such as the A-6) and arresting systems, can be achieved by modifications of the cable damper subsystems that are now in service.