Whatever came out od USNavy ski jump trials for CTOL aircraft in the 80's?

Extracted from SFTE web site:

Society of Flight Test Engineers

On-Line Symposium Paper System
symposium_number 14
symposium_number 15
paper_number 15
paper_number 23
paper_title Conventional Takeoff and Landing Airplane Ski Jump Evaluation
paper_title Conventional Takeoff and Landing Airplane Ski Jump Evaluation
author_1 Senn, C. P.
author_1 Senn, C. P.
affiliation_1 Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, Maryland
affiliation_1 Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, Maryland
author_2 Eastman, J. A., CDR, USN
author_2 Wagner, LtCol T. A., USMC
affiliation_2 Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, Maryland
affiliation_2 Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, Maryland
abstract The U.S. Navy is evaluating ski jump launches as an alternative to shipboard catapult launch for conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) airplanes. The Naval Air Test Center (NAVAIRTESTCEN) conducted a ski jump launch test program using a T-2C and an F-14A airplane operating from a variable exit angle ski jump to: (1) evaluate the feasibility of the concept; (2) define the operating limitations; (3) document performance gains; and (4) verify aerodynamic and structural ski jump simulations. A ground and flight test build-up program was conducted prior to actual ski jump operations. This phase consisted of ground acceleration runs, definition of aborted takeoff/committed to takeoff criteria, and high angle of attack (AOA) and dynamic single engine flight characteristics. A total of 112 ski jump takeoffs with the T-2C and 28 with the F-14A was obtained. Tests were conducted from both a 6 and 9 deg exit angle ramp. Significant performance gains were obtained. Reduction in takeoff ground roll in excess of 50% was obtained with the T-2C. Maximum capability with the F-14A was not achieved due to single engine considerations. With longitudinal trim set properly, stick free ski jump takeoff is possible. A stick free ski jump launch is an easier maneuver than a normal field takeoff. Any operational CTOL ski jump airplane should have a Head-Up Display (HUD), nosewheel steering, stability augmentation in all axes, and an accurate, repeatable flight control trim system. Investigation should continue to fully define the application of the ski jump takeoff to both Shipboard and Shorebased use. abstract The U.S. Navy is evaluating ski jump launches as an alternative to shipboard catapult launch for conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) airplanes. NAVAIRTESTCEN conducted a ski jump launch test program using a T-2C, an F-14A, and an F/A-18A airplane operating from a variable exit angle ski jump to: (1) evaluate the feasibility of the concept; (2) define the operating limitations; (3) document performance gains; (4) propose design considerations; and (5) verify aerodynamic and structural ski jump simulations. A ground and flight test build-up program was conducted prior to actual ski jump operations. This phase consisted of ground acceleration runs, definition of aborted takeoff/committed to takeoff criteria, high angle of attack (AOA), and dynamic single engine flight characteristics. A total of 112 ski jump takeoffs with the T-2C, 28 with the F-14A, and 91 with the F/A-18A, was obtained. Tests were conducted from both a 6 and 9 deg exit angle ramp. Significant performance gains were obtained. Reduction in takeoff ground roll in excess of 50% was obtained with the T-2C and 66% with the F/A-18A. Maximum capability with the F-14A was not achieved due to single engine considerations. With longitudinal trim set properly, stick free ski jump takeoff is possible; however, increased performance gains were obtained with the F/A-18A using a pitch attitude capture flyaway technique. A ski jump launch is an easier maneuver than a normal field takeoff. This paper details the test results with the F/A-18A airplane. The T-2C and F-14A results were reported to the Society in the proceedings of the 14th Annual Symposium. Any operational CTOL ski jump airplane should have a Head-Up Display (HUD), nosewheel steering, stability augmentation in all axes, and an accurate, repeatable flight control trim system. It has been recommended that investigation should continue to fully define the application of the ski jump takeoff to both shipboard and shore based use.
sequence_number 14-15
sequence_number 15-23
report_year 1983
report_year 1984