The Royal Australian Air Force has tested the capabilities of Curtiss-Wright’s ESCO mobile aircraft arresting systems, or MAAS, designed as a deployable tool for aircraft recovery in any landing zone.
Curtiss-Wright’s EMS Division engineered MAAS with new 12-rotor BAK-12 energy absorbers “to meet the challenges of today’s advanced military aircraft,” Dave Micha, the division’s senior vice president and general manager, said Wednesday.
“Curtiss-Wright is proud to support the RAAF with our state-of-the-art aircraft arresting systems,” he added.
US, French Production
Curtiss-Wright’s electro-mechanical systems business produces MAAS in Aston, Pennsylvania, and Genté, France. According to the company, the systems’ enhanced braking performance through the energy absorbers significantly upgrades the RAAF’s capabilities to meet the requirements of modern aviation.
The MAAS test was conducted by the RAAF’s Combat Support Group at RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland. Australia’s Department of Defence said the system was installed at the base in November for testing and training.
Defence said the RAAF was scheduled to have six systems at various bases by the end of 2024. Manual installation of the system is possible within hours, and its arresting cables are adjustable to fit any airstrip.
Aircraft Handling Safety
According to Curtiss-Wright, the 12-rotor BAK-12 improves the braking capabilities of the eight-rotor variant previously used in its MAAS. It said the improvement is critical for safely handling the anticipated heavier weight and higher speed of the RAAF’s F-35A fighter aircraft in its operations and landings. In 2024, the RAAF received nine new F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft, increasing its total fleet to 72.
The U.S. Air Force 435th Air Ground Operations Wing also worked in July with the Slovak Air Force to install new BAK-12 energy absorbers at Malacky Air Base in the Bratislava Region of Slovakia for the fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcons operated by U.S. Air Forces in Europe–Air Forces Africa.