Due to geopolitical, technical and economic reasons, Harrier V/STOL airplanes will soon be retired from service. Since many Navies rely on these aircraft for their combat capability, this will imply a severe operational trouble. One of the replacement possibilities is to modify ground-based designs and make them compatible with carrier operations. This paper presents the initial results of a study aimed at assessing existing ground-based combat airplanes from the point of view of their approach guidance and recovery compatibility with midsize aircraft carriers. The analysis includes operational and performance aspects, describes the complexity of these manoeuvres, and identifies the key variables intervening, crucial for carrier suitability.
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