9
$\begingroup$

I understand that many fighters use drogue parachutes and wheel brakes. But aren't there other methods of slowing down after touchdown?

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
7
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Arresting gear on aircraft carriers? $\endgroup$
    – Ambo100
    May 9, 2015 at 15:34
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ I meant on runways on land. $\endgroup$
    – Madhav Sudarshan
    May 9, 2015 at 15:38
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Arresting gear is sometimes used on short runways for fighter / jet training aircraft. $\endgroup$
    – Ambo100
    May 9, 2015 at 15:41
  • 3
    $\begingroup$ The primary purpose of spoilers is to dump lift so that there is more weight on the wheels and therefore better braking. Speed brakes might be used. $\endgroup$
    – Simon
    May 9, 2015 at 16:11
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ @jwenting The spelling in your comment is amusing and perhaps appropriate for some of the types of situations you describe. :) $\endgroup$
    – reirab
    May 13, 2015 at 3:34

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
15
$\begingroup$

The primary (and most effective) method to slow the jet down is aerobraking.

F-16 Aerobrake

In the T-38 at ~130 knots full aft stick is applied at a rate that prevents the jet from becoming airborne again. The stick will be back towards the seat pan. Fly the nosewheel down to the runway at ~100 knots and apply wheel brakes.

In the F-16 the max aerobraking occurs at 13 AOA with speed brakes extended. You do not want to exceed 15 degrees of pitch angle to prevent scraping the burner can and speed brakes. The speed brakes will not fully extend while the nosewheel is not on the runway (however, it can be overridden but increases the possibility that the speed brakes will scrape).

In either case you do not want to let the nosewheel fall. You also do NOT apply wheel braking until the nosewheel is down.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
1
7
$\begingroup$

Another way to slow fighter jets down, is by using airbrakes. These are basically two big flaps (usually located at the end of the aircraft) that extend into the flow. I think the airbrakes do most of the braking in the approach phase (as it is a good way to dissipate kinetic energy fast), but i'm pretty sure they're also used to slow down during the roll out.

Here's an image showing an F-16 landing with the airbrakes extended, the two protruding flaps at the end are the airbrakes. F-16 Airbrakes

As a bonus, here's a picture of one of the first airbrakes in the book Popular Science (1932): enter image description here

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .