DARPA Seems to be Revisiting the British Skyhook Concept (sorta)

DARPA is looking at ways to be able to launch and recover larger UAVs from ships without needing to use large deck space or require the UAV to have VTOL capabilities like the TERN. What they ahve come up with is in some ways a recapitulation of the British Skyhook system that BAe experimented with to see if they could launch and recover Harriers from frigates.

See more on the skyhook:

craymond.no-ip.info...

However, rather than the VTOL requirements that are still needed for the Skyhook using aircraft, DARPA has basically taken the catapult and arresting hook off the deck and put it on a robotic arm:



Obviously, you are not launching an F-35C or Super Hornet off that. However, for larger UAVs, it might be possible. DARPA is envisioning both shipborn and land operations.

Its interesting at least, but I wonder about the practicality a bit.

More info:

www.engadget.com...

Seems a reasonable bolt on to the side of a ship sort of thing to at least get the thing back on board a ship, sort out where it should be sent back to is another matter but at least there aint several million dollars of stuff at the bottom of the sea.