November 24, 2007: This month,
the U.S. Navy began using the ARC (Advanced Recovery Control) system on one of
its carriers (USS Ronald Reagan, CVN-76). ARC replaces the older, analog,
system for operating the arresting cable (stretched across the deck) that
stopped a landing aircraft by catching the tailhook found on carrier aircraft.
ARC uses software and digital controls to monitor the landing, and put the
arresting cable at the right position to stop landing jets. ARC is easier to
use and maintain, and is more accurate. Thus it also reduces damage to aircraft
and injuries to crews.
