Can Fighter Jets Land or Take Off from an Aircraft Carrier When It's Not Moving?

Fighter jets can technically land on or take off from an aircraft carrier that is not moving, provided certain conditions are met. However, this is far from ideal and not a standard practice. This article explores the possibilities and challenges involved when fighter jets attempt such maneuvers on a stationary carrier.

Takeoff from a Stationary Carrier

Takeoff is typically a straightforward process when an aircraft carrier is moving. The ship's motion helps generate the necessary speed for the aircraft to achieve lift. However, in the absence of a moving carrier, fighter jets would have to rely entirely on their own engines to reach the required speed for takeoff.

The issue lies in the runway length available on a stationary carrier. Unlike a full-length runway, the deck of an aircraft carrier is significantly shorter and less sloped. Traditional takeoff methods, such as using a catapult, are not designed to function under these conditions. This would require fighter jets to compensate for the lack of assistance, often leading to longer runways being needed. In some cases, it may be necessary to use additional runways on land or even employ flanchoring techniques to achieve a safe takeoff.

Landing on a Stationary Carrier

Landing on a stationary aircraft carrier is more complex and risky. Aircraft carriers are engineered to land jets while in motion, which helps with the landing approach and reduces the landing speed required. When the carrier is stationary, this becomes much more challenging. Pilots must manage their descent and speed with extraordinary precision to avoid landing too hard or overshooting the deck.

The absence of forward movement on the carrier means that pilots need to adjust their techniques accordingly. They must use vertical stabilizers and flaps to control their approach angle and speed, which can be difficult and demanding.

Safety and Operational Protocols

In practice, aircraft carrier operations are conducted with the ship moving forward to ensure safety and efficiency. This is standard practice because it optimizes landing and takeoff procedures. Doing so while the carrier is stationary is avoided unless in emergency situations.

For instance, during an exercise in Souda Bay, Crete, jets could be launched from the USS Saratoga while it was anchored. This technique, known as "flanchoring," allowed for the use of fighter jets on a stationary carrier. This was made possible because the S-3A aircraft, with its large straight wing, could achieve takeoff speed without much assistance. Similar techniques were used for landing, although the operation was conducted with light fuel loads to minimize the risk of running low on fuel.

Flanchoring and similar techniques demonstrate that while it is possible for fighter jets to land or take off from a stationary carrier, these maneuvers are not ideal for regular operations. They require specialized training and highly skilled pilots to manage the complexities involved.

Overall, while the capabilities of fighter jets and the ingenuity of pilots can overcome the challenges of a stationary carrier, such operations are best conducted under normal conditions when the carrier is moving to ensure the safety and efficiency of the mission.