Abstract: The parameter match between a carrier-based aircraft and the aircraft-carrier is one of the key issues in the conceptual design phase of catapult takeoff. A mathematical simulation model of a carrier-based aircraft during the catapult takeoff process is built up taking into consideration the complicated takeoff environment. Based on the model, the influence of primary aircraft-carrier parameters on catapult takeoff safety is analyzed and the match value set of primary parameters that accord with the catapult takeoff safety criteria is computed. The results indicate that enhancing the catapult energy, the nose gear fast-extension force and presetting the elevator angle can help to decrease the flight path sinkage during the catapult takeoff process. Within the boundary of the match value set, as the catapult energy increases, the match range of the presetting elevator angle enlarges and the influence of the nose gear fast-extension weakens.

Key words: carrier-based aircraft, catapult takeoff, conceptual design, numerical simulation, parameter match, safety criteria