STOBAR
Encyclopedia
STOBAR is a system used for the launch and recovery of aircraft from the deck of an aircraft carrier
, combining elements of both STOVL
(Short Take Off and Vertical Landing.) and CATOBAR
(Catapult Assisted Take Off But Arrested Recovery).
Aircraft launch under their own power using a ski-jump to assist take-off (rather than using a catapult
like most carriers). However, these are conventional, rather than STOVL aircraft, and thus require arrestor wires to land on the ship. The STOBAR system is simpler to build than CATOBAR — but it works only with light, and lightly armed, fighter aircraft that have a high thrust to weight ratio.
Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch Systems have been proposed for STOBAR operations.
(formerly the Soviet carrier Admiral Gorshkov), and the future Vikrant class aircraft carrier.
When the Eurofighter Typhoon
was proposed for the British Royal Navy
's "Future Carrier Borne Aircraft", it was envisaged that they would operate in a STOBAR configuration. Instead, the Joint Combat Aircraft
will be deployed on the next generation Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers in a CATOBAR
configuration.
Aircraft carrier
An aircraft carrier is a warship designed with a primary mission of deploying and recovering aircraft, acting as a seagoing airbase. Aircraft carriers thus allow a naval force to project air power worldwide without having to depend on local bases for staging aircraft operations...
, combining elements of both STOVL
STOVL
STOVL is an acronym for short take off and vertical landing.This is the ability of some aircraft to take off from a short runway or take off vertically if it does not have a very heavy payload and land vertically...
(Short Take Off and Vertical Landing.) and CATOBAR
CATOBAR
CATOBAR is a system used for the launch and recovery of aircraft from the deck of an aircraft carrier...
(Catapult Assisted Take Off But Arrested Recovery).
Aircraft launch under their own power using a ski-jump to assist take-off (rather than using a catapult
Aircraft catapult
An aircraft catapult is a device used to launch aircraft from ships—in particular aircraft carriers—as a form of assisted take off. It consists of a track built into the flight deck, below which is a large piston or shuttle that is attached through the track to the nose gear of the aircraft, or in...
like most carriers). However, these are conventional, rather than STOVL aircraft, and thus require arrestor wires to land on the ship. The STOBAR system is simpler to build than CATOBAR — but it works only with light, and lightly armed, fighter aircraft that have a high thrust to weight ratio.
Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch Systems have been proposed for STOBAR operations.
Users
The Russian Navy aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov is the only current example of a STOBAR carrier, another will be the Indian VikramadityaINS Vikramaditya
INS Vikramaditya is the new name for the former Soviet aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, which has been procured by India, and is estimated to enter service in the Indian Navy after 2012....
(formerly the Soviet carrier Admiral Gorshkov), and the future Vikrant class aircraft carrier.
When the Eurofighter Typhoon
Eurofighter Typhoon
The Eurofighter Typhoon is a twin-engine, canard-delta wing, multirole combat aircraft, designed and built by a consortium of three companies: EADS, Alenia Aeronautica and BAE Systems; working through a holding company, Eurofighter GmbH, which was formed in 1986...
was proposed for the British Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
's "Future Carrier Borne Aircraft", it was envisaged that they would operate in a STOBAR configuration. Instead, the Joint Combat Aircraft
Joint Combat Aircraft
The Joint Combat Aircraft is the official designation of the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence used for the F-35 Lightning II, formerly the Joint Strike Fighter, and the result of the Joint Strike Fighter Program.-Programme history:...
will be deployed on the next generation Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers in a CATOBAR
CATOBAR
CATOBAR is a system used for the launch and recovery of aircraft from the deck of an aircraft carrier...
configuration.