Advanced Arresting Gear

Advanced Arresting Gear is an electromechanical aircraft recovery system developed for the United States Navy's ''Gerald R. Ford''-class aircraft carriers. It replaces the traditional hydraulic arresting gear used on ''Nimitz''-class carriers, offering greater flexibility, reduced maintenance, and the ability to handle a wider range of aircraft. The system is a critical component of the ''Ford''-class integrated warfare system, designed to increase the sortie generation rate and operational availability of the carrier air wing.

Overview

The system represents a significant technological leap from the Mark 7 Mod 3 arresting gear used for decades on United States Navy carriers. Its primary purpose is to safely decelerate and stop landing aircraft on the limited deck space of an aircraft carrier. Unlike its predecessors, it utilizes water turbines and electric motors for energy absorption, controlled by sophisticated digital signal processing algorithms. This design allows it to be precisely tuned for different aircraft weights and approach speeds, from lightweight unmanned aerial vehicles like the MQ-25 Stingray to heavy C-2 Greyhound cargo planes. The integration of this system is a cornerstone of the Next Generation Enterprise Network (NGEN) infrastructure on the new carriers.

Design and Components

The core of the system consists of a series of sheaves, a twister assembly, and a water turbine energy absorber. When an aircraft engages the arresting wire, the force is transferred through the tape and sheaves to spin the water turbine, which converts kinetic energy into heat. A large induction motor, functioning as a controlled tensioner, maintains constant wire tension during the arrestment. The entire process is managed by an industrial-grade programmable logic controller that receives real-time data on aircraft type and weight from the shipboard aircraft inertial navigation system. Key subcontractors for components include L-3 Communications and Curtiss-Wright.

Operation and Capabilities

During a landing, the pilot aims for one of several cross-deck pendant wires, which are engaged by the aircraft's tailhook. Upon engagement, the system's control logic instantly adjusts the braking profile based on the incoming aircraft's mass and velocity, parameters often relayed from the AN/SPN-46 radar or the Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS). This allows for a smoother, more consistent deceleration compared to hydraulic systems, reducing stress on both the airframe and pilot. Its modular design enables simultaneous recovery of different aircraft types, a capability vital for operating the future Carrier Air Wing mix that will include the F-35C and EA-18G Growler.

Development and History

Development was initiated by the Program Executive Office, Aircraft Carriers (PEO Carriers) in the early 2000s as part of the CVN-21 program, which evolved into the ''Gerald R. Ford'' class. General Atomics was selected as the prime contractor following a competitive bidding process. Extensive land-based testing was conducted at the Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment (ALRE) facility at Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst in New Jersey, using dead-load sleds and live aircraft like the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. The program faced significant technical challenges and cost overruns, drawing scrutiny from the Government Accountability Office and the Senate Armed Services Committee during its development cycle.

Deployment and Use

The first operational installation was aboard the lead ship of its class, USS ''Gerald R. Ford'' (CVN-78), with the system achieving initial operational capability in 2017. Its first major deployment occurred during the ship's 2022 Service Life Assessment Period and subsequent operations in the Atlantic Ocean. The system is also installed on the USS ''John F. Kennedy'' (CVN-79) and is planned for all future vessels of the class, including the USS ''Enterprise'' (CVN-80). Its performance is continuously evaluated by Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and the Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV).

Category:Naval aviation Category:Aircraft carrier equipment Category:Military equipment of the United States