A brief history of tailhook design

Can't leave out the HerkyBird 'Look Ma No Hook':

http://defensetech.org/2011/11/09/pic-o ... a-carrier/

VIDEO on page has view from the 'goofers & lollygaggers' (vultures row) vantage point.

While LM did design the S-3 they were smart enough to realize they had not experience with carrier planes and brought in Vought (LTV) to do a lot of the design work. It's not at all clear who, in anyone, assisted with the tail hook design on the F-35.

The STORK dun it PDF 5.8Mb: LM/NG – Stork Major Components 15oct2007

http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j ... k6bz1fii0A

Some graphics from this informative PDF below. Some text excerpts added later.

MIL-A-18717C, MILITARY STANDARD: ARRESTING HOOK INSTALLATION, AIRCRAFT (20 SEP 1993)

http://www.everyspec.com/MIL-SPECS/MIL+SPECS+(MIL-A)/MIL-A-18717C_18182/

"MIL-A-18717C, MILITARY STANDARD: ARRESTING HOOK INSTALLATION, AIRCRAFT (20 SEP 1993)., This specification covers the design, development, construction, analysis, test and documentation requirements for arresting hook installations in aircraft for which detail specifications or pertinent contractural documents require that arresting hooks be fitted."

MIL-A-18717 Rev. C PDF (5.2Mb) : http://www.everyspec.com/MIL-SPECS/MIL+SPECS+(MIL-A)/download.php?spec=MIL-A-18717C.018182.PDF

Older Rev. B from 1979 & 1984 available also from first URL page. The 1979 edition includes PROP HOOK stuff.

Some more text from: http://www.everyspec.com/MIL-SPECS/MIL+SPECS+(MIL-A)/download.php?spec=MIL-A-18717C.018182.PDF

Wow, nice work spazsinbad!

Couldna leave ya without some Aircraft / Carrier + TEXT graphics from:
http://www.everyspec.com/MIL-SPECS/MIL+SPECS+(MIL-A)/download.php?spec=MIL-A-18717C.018182.PDF

As always best to go to the original source PDF for much more supporting information.

Seein' as some how this thread includes 'weird and wonderful' odd carrier aircraft - here is a nothery (dirty as ....)....

NASA Quiet Short-Haul Research Aircraft (QSRA) Carrier Trials

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_eDutgh4IU

"Uploaded by jaglavaksoldier on Dec 12, 2008
The Quiet Short-Haul Research Aircraft (QSRA) is a flight research facility for investigating STOL operations. The aircraft is a highly modified De Havilland C-8A Buffalo consisting of a new swept, supercritical wing and 4 YF-102 geared, high-bypass-ratio turbofan engines mounted in an "over-the-wing" installation. Upper surface blowing is used to generate high-lift coefficients to provide low approach speeds and steep approach path angles."

Me thinks I see the next COD

Just so as the USAF don't feel left out here is an old 1990 & NOW CANCELLED 1996 pdf about runway emergency arresting requirements:

ARRESTING HOOK INSTALLATION, RUNWAY ARRESTING SYSTEM, AIRCRAFT, EMERGENCY
This specification is approved for Agencies of the Department of Defense.

http://www.everyspec.com/MIL-SPECS/MIL+SPECS+(MIL-A)/download.php?spec=MIL-A-83136A.018180.PDF ( 1.5Mb)
_____________

This PDF will help explain the F-35A emergency hook sumwot:

AIRCRAFT ARRESTING SYSTEM - TEXTILE (TAAS) 2011
This specification is approved for use by the Department of the Air Force

http://www.everyspec.com/MIL-SPECS/MIL+SPECS+(MIL-DTL)/download.php?spec=MIL-DTL-32392.037978.PDF (0.3Mb)
______________

ENGAGING DEVICE, AIRCRAFT ARRESTING SYSTEM - USAF PENDANT CABLE RETRACTION SYSTEMS (PCRS) 2011

This specification establishes minimum military-unique operational and suitability requirements for the design, development and testing of United Stated Air Force (USAF) Pendant Cable Retraction Systems (PCRSs).

http://www.everyspec.com/MIL-PRF/MIL-PR ... 00+-+79999)/download.php?spec=MIL-PRF-32390.037979.PDF (0.3Mb)

Some Stanford students did work on a new COD design as seen in this PDF:

A 1999 AIAA GRADUATE TEAM AIRCRAFT PROPOSAL

aero-comlab.stanford.edu/Papers/legresley.aiaa.design.pdf (5Mb)

"EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Commuting from center-city to center-city is not viable with existing aircraft due to the lack of available runways in metropolitan areas for airplanes and higher expense of helicopter service. The Cardinal is a Super Short Takeoff and Landing (SSTOL) aircraft which attempts to fill this gap. The major goal of this airplane design is to fulfill the desire for center-city to center-city travel by utilizing river “barges” for short takeoffs and landings to avoid construction of new runways or heliports. In addition, the Cardinal will fulfill the needs of the U.S. Navy for a Carrier on-board delivery (COD) aircraft to replace the C-2 Greyhound. Design requirements for the Cardinal included:
· Takeoff ground roll of 300 ft
· Landing ground roll of 400 ft
· Cruise at 350 knots with a range of up to 1500 nm with reserves
· Payload
Ø 24 passengers and baggage for commercial version
Ø 10,000 lb payload for military version
Ø Capable of carrying two GE F110 engines for the F-14D
· Spot factor requirement of 60 feet by 29 feet for military version
Many technologies for achieving the performance goals of the Cardinal were studied and two were singled out for use in preliminary designs. A preliminary design for a fixed-wing configuration with upper surface blowing (USB) and a tilt-wing configuration were completed. Upper surface blowing uses exhaust air from the engine blown over the top of the wing to achieve boundary layer control and reduce flow separation. This technology allows slower takeoff and landing speeds and hence shorter takeoff and landing ground rolls. The tilt-wing is similar to a tilt-rotor, but instead of turning only the engines, the entire wing is pivoted. Pivoting the thrust reduces the amount of lift the wing must produce and reduces the takeoff and landing speeds. Neither of these technologies has been implemented on production aircraft, but several prototype and research aircraft have been built and flight-tested for validation....."

Looks like someone dusted off the R&D for the YC-14? The above design has four engines as compared to the YC-14 dual engines, but the "upper surface blowing.." and "boundary layer control" sound familiar See http://www.theaviationzone.com/factsheets/amst.asp

Russia did that with the AN72/74

spazsinbad wrote:It has occurred to me since reading the Tommy H. Thomason post about tailhook design that the screenshot shown below has the F-35C 'getting dirty' (lowering wheels, flaps & hook) at probably the maximun allowed airspeed so the angle of attack will be lower than the more nose high Optimum Angle of Attack (used during a carrier approach). So we see the hook tip 'higher' than usual compared to main wheels due to the flat attitude at the much higher airspeed shown (most likely).

http://attach.high-g.net/attachments/f_ ... ot_246.jpg

I think in the photo the gear handle is in the up position ... as the nose retracts first then (seems like forever) the mains retract. Also, it can't be that difficult to design a hydraulic telescoping tail hook that will increase the distance from the mains.

VarkVet, you will need to watch the video. The video clip from whence the screenshot taken above will be posted here soon if it can be made. Otherwise it clearly shows that the hook drops quickly followed by the main gear and then the nosewheel - unless somehow the clip has been doctored to play backwards. This sequence reinforces my impression that the aircraft is at/just below hook/undercarrieage flying speed limit to 'dirty up'. Which means in comparison to the much slower speed when on carrier approach (by approx. 100 knots IAS) the aircraft is at a level flight attitude compared to what it will be at when at Optimum Angle of Attack. Watch this space.

When aircraft nose rotated much more at Opt AoA the tail will be lower and the hook will be much lower compared to the main wheels (than seen in the fast screenshot).

OOPs a slow speed replay shows that the main wheels start to appear first - then the hook drops - then the nosewheel. But I digress.... The fillum can be slowed whilst viewing here by 'right mouse clicking' on it when playing to select 'slow'+ 'fullscreen'.

Decided to make a one-eighth speed version. Note how the filming aircraft goes lower during the clip and note the hook/main wheel distance. And note the above...