Functional tailhook

Will there be plans to make the tailhook functional?

I know it is a silly question, but the USAF does have a tailhook that is functional for all their planes (including the never to be DCS-flyable F-22) for the purpose of emergency landings in case of hydraulic failures.

Also Belsim has no problem adding this insignificant piece as functional on the F-5 for the sake of being authentic, so I am curious if ED is planning to make the hook functional.

If only ED modeled the BAK-12 or similar systems.

Maybe they can update that for the NTTR or Persian Gulf in the future.

Or they add the emergency fences.. also an option.

The F-15C and F-5E-3 have them, both used for making field landings using arrestor cables (NOT for carrier landings/recoveries) so I don't see why not, especially if we get field arresting cables in the future (it has been posted on the wishlist a few times, nothing yet though).

Without the arrestors what is he point of having the tailhooks modeled?

Without the arrestors what is he point of having the tailhooks modeled?

It's a part of a plane. That's the reason.

Maybe when they get the new damage model in for ALL aircraft, they can model what would happen to the F15's/F16's etc, if they were to use those tailhooks in a carrier landing.

Maybe when they get the new damage model in for ALL aircraft, they can model what would happen to the F15's/F16's etc, if they were to use those tailhooks in a carrier landing.

IIRC landing on aircraft carriers in the F-5E or F-15 caused quite an amount of damage, haven't tested in a while though

IIRC landing on aircraft carriers in the F-5E or F-15 caused quite an amount of damage, haven't tested in a while though

Talking about damage closer to reality compared to what we have now.

etc, if they were to use those tailhooks in a carrier landing.

The idea of the hooks within the air force is not stopping an aircraft at full touchdown speed like it is at carrier ops… it is used for stop it at the end of the runway if nothing else works and no other arresting device is available, normally far below 170kts an F-16 has at touchdown…

I understand that fully. My comment was for those wondering and want to test it out, that they could then see WHY you should not land AF birds on carriers just because they have a hook. It is why I used "THEY" in my original statement. ;)

Yes to tailhooks! I hope they model the runway arresting system as well, but just having the hook helps a bit with immersion.

landing an f16 on a carrier would probably not rip the aircraft in half, but more likely collapse the gear and smash the fuselage into the deck.

Someone on the forum here iirc did the math and showed that the tail hook would stop the plane just fine for an abrupt stop. That doesn't mean the airframe will survive it or the gear will not collapse cause the f-16 has some thin gear struts, maybe if you greased the landing it might not collapse, but that sucker would be in a depot level maintenance for shure!

so has there been any mention from ED as to whether they will implement the arrestor system at certain runways. I assume Nevada would be the place to start with that?

so has there been any mention from ED as to whether they will implement the arrestor system at certain runways. I assume Nevada would be the place to start with that?

It would be nice, but I believe ED has said no more features to NTTR. :(

+1 for the tailhook!

But surely for the viper they would make an exception..... :worthy::worthy::P

Or maybe it will feature in Syria map? How funny would it be if they released that at same time as the viper just to watch all the nay sayers squirm apologetically

Just to throw My hat into the ring, I wish the hook worked for carrier landings as well.

The hook would be simple for them to model yet complete the 3d model of the F-16 and make the pit more authentic.:thumbup:

Just to throw My hat into the ring, I wish the hook worked for carrier landings as well.

The hook might not be the problem. But when adding carrier functions to the F-16 I would also like to have full V/STOL-Options too. :thumbup:

I thought it would work already, just never tried myself. I expect ED to simulate this eventually...

Out of all the things the F-16 needs in order to be a complete, mission ready module, I can't say that the tailhook (that DCS's current land based runways don't support) should be very high on the list.

When they do implement it, I would hope that any attempt to land a F-16 on a carrier with said hook would result in a airplane with a wrecked undercarriage and potential airframe damage.