Shooter's Gallery (as in Catapult, not firearms)

[MasterBates]

Sidebar question-

On the E-2 we have frangible holdbacks, that break at a certain tension. Those I understand how they work.

On the T-45 we had these "fingers" that I could never figure out how the hell they worked. How do the non-frangible holdbacks work?

 

[BigIron]

Sidebar question-

On the E-2 we have frangible holdbacks, that break at a certain tension. Those I understand how they work.

On the T-45 we had these "fingers" that I could never figure out how the hell they worked. How do the non-frangible holdbacks work?

I think you're talking about the Repeatable Release Holdback Bars (RRHBs). I've attached a pic. It appears to be PFM how they work. Seriously.

These bars fit onto a fitting aft of the nose gear on Rhinos (orange colored and "ribbed"), Hornets (yellow), and T-45s (blue). The other end fits into the "buffer hooks" (also pictured) which are pulled out and actually holds the aircraft back while in full tension. Unlike the "tension," or T-bars used in the launch of the Grumman a/c (third pic, far right), these repeatable release bars let go when the catapult launch valves snap open. There is no breakable item in them. Catapult steam pressure is the same for every shot/every aircraft. It's the rate at which the catapult launch valves open that determine how fast the a/c goes down the track. That initial jolt, along with a predetermined release weight (around 50,000 lbs of tension), releases the bar and it falls to the deck. It resets itself and gets sent to AIMD every 100 shots for rework.

/end threadjack....

 

[HeyJoe]

090620-N-1062H-028 PACIFIC OCEAN (June 20, 2009) Lt. Marc Henderson gives the signal to launch an F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the Royal Maces of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 from the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington is underway on her first summer deployment from Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan supporting security and stability in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Christopher S. Harte/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

090617-N-7780S-055 PACIFIC OCEAN (June 17, 2009) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) Airman Manolito Recto, from Vallejo, Calif., stands flight line safety watch as an F/A-18E Super Hornet from the Argonauts of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147 launches from the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). John C. Stennis and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 are participating in Northern Edge 2009, a joint exercise focusing on detecting and tracking units at sea, in the air and on land. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kyle Steckler/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

090616-N-6538W-016 GULF OF ALASKA (June 16, 2009) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) Airman Apprentice Angela Fuga, from St. Clair, Mich., removes a protective rubber gasket used to keep out foreign object debris from catapult one before flight operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). John C. Stennis is participating in Northern Edge 2009, a joint exercise which focuses on detecting and tracking units at sea, in the air and on land. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Walter M. Wayman/ Released)

090514-N-7491B-034 PACIFIC OCEAN (May 14, 2009) Aviation Boatswain's Mates (Equipment) grease foot pads in a catapult track after a flight deck wash down aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are conducting Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) off the coast of Southern California in preparation of a scheduled Western Pacific Deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Joseph A. Boomhower/Released)

090508-N-4015L-034 PACIFIC OCEAN (May 8, 2009) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) 3rd Class Sam Keo gives a "thumbs up," signaling the catapult can be fired safely during no-load operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington is conducting flight deck certification and carrier qualifications in the western Pacific Ocean after completing its first Selective Restricted Availability. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tanner Lange/Released)

090508-N-6236O-135 PACIFIC OCEAN (May 8, 2009) Air department officers, or Shooters, operate the catapult during no-load system testing aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington is conducting flight deck certification and carrier qualifications in the western Pacific Ocean after completing its first Selective Restricted Availability. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Joshua A. Olson/Released)

090504-N-7780S-277 PACIFIC OCEAN (May 4, 2009) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) 1st Class Brandon Benedict, from Tulsa, Okla., performs final checks on an aircraft catapult prior to flight operations aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Stennis is on a scheduled six-month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kyle Steckler/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

090612-N-8534H-084 PACIFIC OCEAN (June 12, 2009) Lt. Marc Henderson, a Shooter aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73), gives the signal to launch an F/A-18C Hornet from the Golden Dragons, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 192 off the bow catapult during flight operations. George Washington is underway supporting security and stability in the Western Pacific ocean, while on her first summer deployment from Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan since becoming the Navy's only permanently forward deployed aircraft carrier. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Barry Hirayama/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

090601-N-3946H-045 PACIFIC OCEAN (June 1, 2009) An aircraft director guides an F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to the "Tophatters" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14, onto catapult one aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are conducting a Composite Training Unit Exercise off the coast of Southern California in preparation of a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Patrick Heil/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

090529-N-6984M-004 PACIFIC OCEAN (May 29, 2009) An F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 launches from the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) as an F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the "Diamondbacks" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102 waits to launch on the opposite catapult. George Washington, the Navy's only permanently forward deployed aircraft carrier, is underway conducting a Combat Operations Efficiency evaluation in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class John J. Mike/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

090530-N-3946H-082 PACIFIC OCEAN (May 30, 2009) A Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate guides an F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the "Warhawks" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 97 into place on catapult three aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are conducting a Composite Training Unit Exercise off the coast of Southern California in preparation of a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Patrick Heil/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

090519-N-3946H-106 PACIFIC OCEAN (MAY 19, 2009) Sailors assigned to the air department of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) guide an F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the "Sidewinders" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 86 onto a catapult aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. Nimitz and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are conducting a Composite Training Unit Exercise off the coast of Southern California in preparation for a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Patrick Heil/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

090519-N-7656T-311 ATLANTIC OCEAN (May 19, 2009) An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23, piloted by Lt. Patrick McKenna and Cmdr. Beau Duarte, became the first aircraft to be catapulted from the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). George H.W. Bush is the tenth and final Nimitz-class aircraft carrier and is underway off the coast of Virginia conducting flight deck certification. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael Tackitt/Released)

090526-N-7656T-066 ATLANTIC OCEAN (May 26, 2009) Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush watches from "Barbara" a specially painted tow-tractor as an F/A-18F Super Hornet is catapulted off the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS GEORGE H.W. Bush (CVN 77). Bush, the aircraft carrier's namesake, was aboard to watch flight deck operations, fulfilling a wish he made in 2006 at the ship's christening. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael Tackitt/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

090429-N-1062H-052 YOKOSUKA, Japan (April 29, 2009) Sailors assigned to the air department of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) clean the number four catapult jet blast deflector in preparation for an upcoming underway period. George Washington is the Navy's only forward deployed aircraft carrier and is in the final stage of a Ship's Restricted Availability. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Christopher S. Harte/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

The Troubleshooters

070825-N-7883G-013 PACIFIC FLEET (Aug. 25, 2007) - A troubleshooter assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136 braces himself after the launching of an EA-6B Prowler aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kyle D. Gahlau (RELEASED)

070410-N-6854D-001 PERSIAN GULF (April 9, 2007) - Troubleshooters assigned to the "Patriots" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140 give a ready-to-go sign prior to launching an EA-6B Prowler from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). Eisenhower and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 are on a scheduled deployment in support of Maritime Security Operations (MSO). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Jon Dasbach (RELEASED)

070129-N-1635S-003 Pacific Ocean (Jan. 29, 2007) - A troubleshooter assigned to the "Stingers" of Strike Fighter Squadron One One Three (VFA-113) assists in pushing back an F/A-18C Hornet on the flight deck aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is currently underway in support of operations in the western Pacific. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joshua Scott (RELEASED)

051210-N-5549O-048 Pacific Ocean (Dec. 10, 2005) - An aircraft troubleshooter assigned to the "Eagles" of Strike Fighter Squadron One One Five (VFA-115), verifies that one of his squadron’s F/A-18E Super Hornets is safely ready for launch from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Reagan and embarked Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14) are currently underway in the Pacific Ocean conducting Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Kevin S. O'Brien (RELEASED)

 

[HeyJoe]

090328-N-6597H-427 PACIFIC OCEAN (March 28, 2009) A flight deck director gives hand signals to the pilot of an F/A-18C Hornet from the "Blue Diamonds" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146 as it moves onto catapult one in preparation for launch from the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). John C. Stennis and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 are on a scheduled six-month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jon Husman/Released)

090320-N-3659B-067 PACIFIC OCEAN (March 20, 2009) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Airman Daryl Cobb uses hand signals to tell the pilot of an F/A-18C Hornet to move the aircraft forward onto catapult one of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Cobb is under instruction as a flight deck plane handler, training for his final qualification to direct personnel and aircraft on the flight deck. Ronald Reagan and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 are underway conducting a sustainment exercise in the Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joseph M. Buliavac/Released)

090314-N-7730P-080 PACIFIC OCEAN (March 14, 2009) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Chad Yarbrough directs an F/A-18C Hornet onto a bow catapult during a launch cycle aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Aircraft Handlers are in charge of maintaining a smooth flow of aircraft traffic while on the flight deck. Ronald Reagan and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 are underway conducting sustainment exercise in the Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Gary A. Prill/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

090314-N-7730P-037 PACIFIC OCEAN (March 14, 2009) Aviation Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Jhade Bugauisan is the catapult safety watch on the number one catapult before the launch of an F/A-18C Hornet aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). The Catapult safety is the final ok prior to the "shooter" launching a aircraft off the deck. Ronald Reagan and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 are underway conducting sustainment exercise in the Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Gary A. Prill/Released)

090225-N-3946H-050 PACIFIC OCEAN (Feb. 25, 2009) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) 3rd Class Doug Bellew displays the weight of an F/A-18F Super Hornet to the catapult safety officer before take off on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are conducting tailored ship's training availability off the coast of Southern California. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Patrick Heil/Released)

090225-N-3946H-049 PACIFIC OCEAN (Feb. 25, 2009) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) 1st Class Jason Slama gives the thumbs-up signal to the catapult safety officer after calibrating the catapult for the weight of an F/A-18F Super Hornet on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are conducting tailored ship's training availability off the coast of Southern California. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Patrick Heil/Released)

090210-N-7571S-011 GULF OF OMAN (Feb. 10, 2009) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) 3rd Class Nancy Germann clears her hands from the catapult release button after she releases an aircraft during the first event of flight operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). Theodore Roosevelt and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 are operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonathan Snyder/Released)

090121-N-3946H-122 PACIFIC OCEAN (Jan. 21, 2009) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) 2nd Class Marcus Rideout, left, and Aviation Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Abraham Lopez stand watch in the catapult one engine room aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz is underway conducting Fleet Replacement Squadron Carrier Qualifications. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Patrick Heil/Released)

020129-N-3653A-002 At sea aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) Jan. 29, 2002 ? Flight deck personnel launch an E-2C ?Hawkeye? assigned to the ?Bluetails? of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron One Two One (VAW-121), from one of four steam powered catapult systems aboard the nuclear powered aircraft carrier. VAW-121 is embarked aboard George Washington while conducting carrier qualifications (CQ). U. S. Navy photo by Photographer?s Mate 3rd Class Summer M. Anderson. (RELEASED)

020401-N-3986D-002 At sea aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) Apr. 1, 2002 -- Lt. Dave Stefano, of New York, N.Y., gives the signal to launch an aircraft from one of four steam driven catapult systems on the ship?s flight deck. Washington is homeported in Norfolk, Va. and is currently conducting scheduled integrated training in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Virginia. U. S. Navy photo Photographer?s Mate Airman Jessica Davis. (RELEASED)

020412-N-4768W-114 At sea aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Apr. 12, 2002 -- An F/A-18 "Hornet" assigned to the "Blue Diamonds" of Strike Fighter Squadron One Four Six (VFA-146) launches from one of four steam catapult systems on the ship?s flight deck. John C. Stennis and Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) are conducting combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Joshua Word. (RELEASED)