AN INVESTIGATION OF PROBLEMS CONNECTED WITH LAUNCHING AND RECOVERING CARRIER AIRCRAFT
Abstract
A study was made of the problems connected with launching and arresting aircraft in carrier operations. Consideration of the basic arrestation problem led to the conclusion that the energy should be dissipated thermally to either an atmospheric or a liquid sink. An alternative scheme to the cross-deck pendant was proposed which takes the form of a coarse net actuating a series of small engines. By this means, all the engines on board the carrier would operate during each arrest and each engine would absorb only a part of the total energy. An evaluation was made of the ability of a number of mechanical and electromagnetic engine systems to dissipate thermal energy at high rates while providing a constant retardation of 3 g. The study indicated that friction devices would be unsatisfactory, but that of the reeved cable types, the hydraulic ram was most satisfactory. In a catapult system, the slotted cylinder configuration appeared to offer the greatest promise both for direct cycle and storage cycle operation. Power would be provided by a gas generator. The combustion of a hydrocarbon in oxygen appeared to be the most attractive gas-generating system.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 20, 1953
- Accession Number
- AD0017747
Entities
Organizations
- Arthur D. Little