Abstract: The tape for connecting a landing aircraft to a rotary energy absorber, which is arresting it includes at least two longitudinal sections, a leading section and a trailing section. The leading section absorbs the impact shock when the aircraft is first arrested. It, therefore, has longitudinal filaments with a relatively low modulus of elasticity and is, therefore, made of a material, such as nylon, which can absorb considerable impact stress without breaking. The trailing section of the tape is brought into action during the runout of the tape to gradually stop the aircraft. It has longitudinal filaments with a relatively high modulus of elasticity and extremely high tensile strength. Such modulus of elasticity is accordingly above 12.times.10.sup.6 PSI with a tensile strength of at least about 10 grams per denier of 400,000 PSI. A satisfactory trailing section material is, for example, an ultra-high tenacity synthetic fiber, such as Kevlar. Kevlar is the trademark of E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Co.

Abstract: A deck for landing an arrested RPV has a row of substantially parallel elastic stringers deployed between a pair of open bed trailers. The stringers are attached to longitudinal rails on the trailers and to wind-up winches for tensioning the stringers. A pendant or net is attached across one of the trailers between a pair of stanchions and is connected to energy absorbers on the other trailer for arresting the landing RPV and dropping it down on the deck. Protruding elements of the RPV slide down inbetween the stringers to protect them from damage as the larger body and wing portions are caught on the stringers.

Abstract: The hydraulic energy absorbing device of U.S. Pat. Re. 28,736 is adapted to serve as a variable torque hydraulic clutch for a flywheel catapult by mobilizing the fixed array of annular vanes disposed about the rotor blades and mounting them on an output shaft. The torque transmission through the device is controlled by the degree of enclosure of the input rotor blade ring by a channel-shaped shroud, which is mounted in an annular recess in the toroidal flow-control ring disposed in an annular cavity in the casing.

Abstract: The shuttle for launching an RPV is connected to a launching tube by a motion and high speed-multiplying pulley and cable assembly. The telescopic launching tube assembly is connected between and parallel to a pair of elongated arms of a sealed U-shaped tubular assembly connected by a manifold to which the telescopic tube and shuttle are latched back against the force of compressed air stored in the U-shaped receiver. The release of the latch is damped to minimize acceleration forces on the launched RPV. The receiver and launching tubes are mounted on an elongated base whose rear end is rotatably connected to an anchor plate and the front end of the tubular assembly is adjustably mounted upon the front of the base on an adjustable jack support.