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Potential Arresting Gear Cable Problem Solved

Navy Newsstand

Press Release Number: ELK200306091

Release Date: 6/9/2003

While recently testing the arresting gear at NAVAIR Lakehurst test facilities, the military operators discovered unexpected damage to the cable during a routine inspection between tests.

The cable is made of 1.5 inch diameter steel and it transfers the energy from the tailhooks of landing aircraft to the hydraulic portion of the arresting gear located below the deck. This cable is one of the most stressed components in the landing system. Had the operating crew not discovered the damaged cable, it could have failed on subsequent tests.

A Lakehurst engineering team determined the damage occurred when the anchor damper system momentarily stuck during engine retraction. Retraction is the operation the arresting system goes through as it pulls the cable back across the aircraft carrier deck to the starting position.

The momentary sticking caused the terminal at the anchored end of the long cable to be drawn into the retractable sheave at a high velocity. This allowed the cable being pulled back into the ship to swing on the deck and kink, thus requiring replacement.

This was a case where a minor malfunction in one component triggered the possibility of serious damage to a critical part of the system. Engineers and site technicians worked to formulate a modification that would protect the cable from damage even if the malfunction occurred again.

NAVAIR Lakehurst's Manufacturing Department fabricated a prototype based on the research and designs from the engineers. Test engineers, site operating technicians and design engineers worked together closely to develop a test plan to simulate the minor malfunction (stuck anchor damper). In fifty engine retraction tests no cable damage occurred.

The current phase of the testing involves live aircraft recoveries. Engineering analysis indicate that the system change will not effect cable dynamics during aircraft arrests or cable resets. The test team successfully completed twelve E2-C aircraft arrestments and the modification will be incorporated it into the fleet's system.

This project is an excellent example of the military and civilian members of the NAVAIR team working together closely to identify and solve problems before they become major concerns.

The military test site operators are fleet sailors doing shore duty at Lakehurst. Their knowledge of fleet aircraft recovery operations helped them to recognize the problem as it occurred and greatly aided in devising the solution.

When they return to the fleet these sailors bring with them a better understanding of how NAVAIR Lakehurst designs and develops processes that effects and improves the equipment they use each and every day at sea.