The Melting Deck Plates Muddle


The Navy is looking for a solution that will not require extensive
modification of current carrier decks. This includes a lot of decks,
both the eleven large carriers, and the ten smaller LHAs and LHDs.
This is shaping up as another multi-billion dollar "oops" moment, as
the melting deck problem was never brought up during the long
development of either aircraft.

What about clamshell deflectors for the hot exhausts?

During warmup before takeoff the clamshell halves deflect the hot
exhaust forward and rearward, away from the deck. At the moment of
takeoff the clamshell doors close partally to reduce the deflection
angle (which will provide some vertical thrust and side thrust) or
move out of the way altogether to allow the hot exhaust to shoot the
deck.

For landing, as the aircraft comes close to deck the clamshells are
partially closed, again to deflect the hot exhausts from blowing
directly on the deck. How this will affect controllability will need
to be tested for practicality. On landing the clamshell doors will be
in full deflection mode (Fwd and Rearwd) to keep the hot gasses awway
from the deck.