Aircraft arresting system and method

Abstract

An aircraft arresting system providing a controlled, gradual aircraft deceleration is disclosed. The system includes an arresting barrier comprised of a triggering net/parachute combination. The triggering net is aligned transversely to the runway and is actuated by contact with the aircraft nose landing gear. An engaging cable, releasably retained on the triggering net, is then thrust upwardly to entangle the aircraft main landing gear. A pair of parachutes, attached to the engaging cable, are deployed as a result of the continued aircraft motion. Once deployed, the parachutes provide the desired gradual decelerative force to slow the aircraft. The preferred embodiment of the aircraft arresting system includes three arresting barriers spaced a distance longitudinally on the runway to provide a reliable aircraft engagement and a controlled rate of arrest. An associated method is disclosed wherein the rate of arrest of the aircraft is determined after deployment of the first set of parachutes, and the second or third barriers deployed to provide a greater rate of arrest when desired.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.