A butt only to land?

In the military aeronautics sector, on-board devices usually differ from other devices by their landing gear. However, a large number of non-carrier combat aircraft are also equipped with a cross for emergency braking. The list of equipped devices is also long and varied:

• most of the tactical combat aircraft of American origin: F-5, F-16, F-15, F-35A, F-22, F-111,… known when an Australian F-111C landed on belly on July 18, 2006.
• the Eurofighter which moreover saw its butt mistaken for a “landing stock” by certain media during a presentation of a model in the early 2010s.
• Rafale B and C, as compared below with a Rafale M.

Emergency braking systems in Belgium

When a combat aircraft has to land urgently following a technical incident, the various Belgian air bases are equipped with a Aircraft arresting systems (AAS) at the end of each runway. Belgium has several versions (fixed or mobile, different braking systems, etc.) but which are broadly divided into two categories:

• The stopping point at the end of the runway: the principle resembles an appendix presented on an aircraft carrier equipped with stopping points: the plane lands, pulls out its butt while allowing it to slow down as much as possible with its flaps. Once the runway has been completely cleared, the stick catches the stopper and definitively brakes the aircraft for less than 400 meters.
• The net at the end of the track: a net must be extended on the track and hooked to two pylons lowered on the ends of the track. In 1.5 seconds, the pylons rise and then stretch the net vertically. The plane reentered it and was braked for less than 125 meters. This system is used for aircraft not equipped with a stock but also in the case where the stock of the aircraft has not separated the cable.

New, more modern systems

However, the AAS currently in service are beginning to age while the combat aircraft of Belgium but also of the NATO member countries are developing and becoming heavier. The Air Component then decided in 2020 to notify Safran of its desire to have more modern equipment but also a new system located in the middle of the runway: the Mid-track energy absorber (MREA). Safran, a company with recognized expertise in this field, is already under contract with the Belgian Air Force for the maintenance of the various AAS systems. Work began in August 2021 and the system was accepted on March 15, 2022. This acceptance includes the various tests of the system via tractions or a real test with a Belgian F-16.

In 2023, the Air Component will modernize its AAS at the end of each runway, starting with Florennes Air Base.