CHAPTER 5
ASSOCIATED LAUNCHING EQUIPMENT
The associated launching equipment discussed in
this chapter is used in conjunction with catapults and
arresting gear. This equipment includes the jet blast
deflectors and nose gear launch equipment.
JET BLAST DEFLECTORS
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Identify the
components
of
the
jet
blast
deflectors.
Describe
the
operation
of
the
jet
blast
deflectors. Describe the emergency operations
of the jet blast deflectors.
The jet blast deflector (JBD) installation consists of
water-cooled panels that are mounted flush with the
flight deck. The panels are raised and lowered by
hydraulic cylinders connected to mechanical operating
gear. When raised, the JBDs serve to protect personnel,
equipment and other aircraft from the hot jet exhaust
created by an aircraft spotted on the catapult. Seawater,
supplied from the ship’s firemain, is continuously
circulated through the modules of each panel assembly
to prevent overheating. Figure 5-1 shows the basic
operation of JBDs.
5-1
WATER IN
WATER RETURN
PRESSURIZED
HYDRAULIC FLUID
HYDRAULIC FLUID
RETURN
ABEF0501
Figure 5-1.—Jet blast deflector operations.
