Flying fixed-wing aircraft from ships is fraught with difficulties.
The pressure is on to create aircraft carriers which do not require a huge runway (since it makes them costly and vulnerable).
VTOL aircraft are hyper expensive (especially if you’ve decided to ditch, rather than upgrade, the superb Harrier), so how to equip one’s comparatively bog-standard fast jets with seagoing abilities?
Today’s invention is a new concept in aircraft carrier.
This is based on having a small ship, packed with planes and with several enormous Dyson-esque ring fans on deck.
These would be capable of creating such an airflow that an aircraft placed in front would rise vertically and fly through the hoop to take off.
To land, approach the hoop with a high airspeed but zero deckspeed and, by reducing the fan airflow, touch down gently.
Great idea!
By increasing the speeds of the fan the plane has to put more thrust in,
and then the fan suddenly stops, => the plane will be ejected forward (I assume)
It can also be used to generate wind so planes can always land against the wind, shortening the runway they need (?)
Thanks. I think this might actually work in several different launch/retrieve modes…although it would require either advanced piloting skills or some serious guidance/fan control software. I’m sure Dyson hasn’t patented this use of the technology !