April 22, 2009: Lakehurst NAVAIR

[xoxoxoBruce]

Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Station, also less well known as Maxfield Field, brings to mind Herbert Morrison's immortal words, "Oh, the humanity!"
Yes, famous for the Hindenburg disaster but also the home of the Navy's airship development, home base for the Blimps, and many other Naval Air firsts.

But what is this? Straight, flat, ski tows?



No, Naval Air test tracks, for testing stuff used on carriers.

In order for a plane to safely land on an aircraft carrier without racing off the end, its tailhook needs to be 'caught' by arresting cables attached to the carrier's deck (see here). these cables need to be extremely strong and durable but also flexible enough so as not to stop the plane too quickly. these 5 test tracks, located at navair in Lakehurst, are dedicated to testing these very systems and the emergency barricades.

The photo above shows an F/A-18 airframe sitting on a sled. on the back of that sled are 4 jet engines which, when fired up, will produce 42,000lbs of thrust and ultimately send the jet down the 1.74 miles (2.8km) track at a speed of 285mph (460km/h), into an arresting cable or barricade. if the plane stops: great. if not, the plane usually ends up in the clearing behind the track or amongst the trees. either way, an enormous, expensive amount of fun.

And you thought six Flags was fun.

I'm not giving you the link because tomorrows IOtD is coming from the same site, so you'll get the link tomorrow... Same Cellar time, same Cellar channel.


Yeah, I know you can easily find the site... if you want to be a doodiehead. :p