United Kingdom studies equipping its aircraft carriers with catapults and landing gear – Defense Aviation and Navy

By Richard Scott

Addressed the conference ‘Integrated Naval Event 2023’ At a meeting of defense chiefs in Farnborough on May 24, Colonel Bill Kelly, head of carrier strike and maritime aviation for the Royal Navy’s Naval Development Directorate, outlined an ambition to install the interceptors. A broad vision of the Future Maritime Air Force (FMAF). FMAF is a multi-pronged project to explore the broad field of unmanned aviation across the surface fleet, with a specific focus on the future of airborne aviation.

In its current configuration, the Queen Elizabeth-class flight deck arrangement, fitted with a 12.5 degree ski jump forward and vertical recovery platform offset to port, is designed for single aircraft type operation and support. F-35B Lightning II (STOVL) fighter jet lands. No starting or stopping tools are installed.

Ark Royal project

According to Colonel Kelly, the FMAF strand, known as Project Ark Royal, is exploring options for the phased introduction of high-performance unmanned attack and support systems and air launch and recovery equipment to operate unmanned fixed-wing aircraft.

“We are going to go from STOVL to STOL [short takeoff but arrested recovery]Then to STOBAR [short takeoff but arrested recovery] Then to CATOBAR [catapult assisted takeoff but arrested recovery]. “We are looking at a demonstrable progression that will expand funding and gradually improve capability,” said Colonel Bill Kelly, Head of Carrier Strike and Maritime Aviation for the Royal Navy.

The first step is to increase the length of unattended launches of unmanned aerial systems. “In November, we will launch a flight Mojave [STOL] From an air base on the east coast of the United States,” Colonel Kelly said. “The aircraft can fly a 100m runway, which is sufficient for testing, but we have already done design work to add ‘sponsons’ and provide a full run of 213.5m.”

The next step is to introduce a recovery system in the QEC program. The FMAF’s planned large fixed-wing UAS, a fixed-wing capability known as the Vixen, is expected to rely on some form of recovery system.

The final step is to add an auxiliary release system. “Adding catapults will allow you to operate the heaviest aircraft you can imagine,” said Colonel Kelly.

oh Naval News Project Ark Royal understands that several output and assisted recovery system options have already been reviewed. It includes an electromagnetic launch system and advanced arrester gear equipment supplied by General Atomics to the class’s aircraft carriers. CVN 78 US Navy and UK’s own electromagnetic induction technology demonstration (developed by GE Power Conversion).

At this point the FMAF plan was pre-determined. It continues to explore capabilities, conduct trials and gather evidence to inform the next UK Integrated Review in 2025.

Translation and Adaptation: DAN

Source: Navy News