Mobile Aircraft Arresting Systems (MAS)

Introduction

Safety systems in aviation exist for one reason: to save lives when every second matters. Among the most remarkable of these is the Mobile Aircraft Arresting System (MAS), a silent guardian that can stop a roaring jet safely within seconds. On forward bases carved out of sand, temporary runways supporting humanitarian missions, or civil airports assisting military flights, the MAS provides the confidence pilots and crews need to operate under any condition.

At AVA AERO, the commitment to innovation in ground support and safety systems goes beyond maintenance and service; it’s about ensuring mission continuity and protecting people. As the company continues to grow its expertise in hydraulic test benches, ground power units, nitrogen and oxygen carts, and hydraulic power units, it now looks toward the future: aircraft arresting solutions. The MAS perfectly aligns with AVA AERO’s purpose: to engineer reliability where it matters most, on the runway.

Table of Contents

1. What Is a Mobile Aircraft Arresting System (MAS)?

2. How the MAS Works

3. Components of an Arresting System

4. Key Types: MAAS and E-MAAS

5. Deployment and Operation in the Field

6. Benefits and Applications

   
   

What Is a Mobile Aircraft Arresting System (MAS)?

The Mobile Aircraft Arresting System (MAS), sometimes referred to as MAAS, is a deployable safety system designed to bring aircraft to a stop when their normal braking systems cannot. Initially developed for fighter and tactical aircraft, MAS units are now used worldwide at temporary or remote airfields, civil-military airports, and emergency landing zones.

Unlike permanent arresting systems, a MAS can be transported, installed, and operated almost anywhere, providing a flexible solution for military operations, humanitarian missions, or temporary runway extensions. It delivers essential support in situations where runway space is limited or when infrastructure is still under development.

How the MAS Works

The principle behind an aircraft arresting system is simple yet powerful. It converts the kinetic energy of a fast-moving aircraft into controlled mechanical resistance that safely slows it down.

Here’s what happens step by step:

1. As the aircraft lands or aborts takeoff, its tailhook catches a pendant cable stretched across the runway.

2. The cable is attached at both ends to energy absorbers through high-tensile steel tapes or cables.

3. The energy absorbers, often rotary hydraulic devices, transform the aircraft’s motion into heat and fluid pressure, gradually reducing speed over a controlled distance known as the runout.

4. Once the aircraft stops, the cable is released, the system is reset, and it becomes ready for the next engagement.

The entire sequence takes only a few seconds but can prevent catastrophic accidents, saving both valuable aircraft and human lives.

Components of an Mobile Aircraft Arresting System

A Mobile Aircraft Arresting System is made up of several key elements, each engineered for precision and reliability:

Component	Description
Arresting Cable (Hook Cable)	A high-strength steel cable stretched across the runway, typically 38 to 46 meters long.
Energy Absorbers	Hydraulic or rotary friction devices (e.g., BAK-12 type) that dissipate kinetic energy.
Tape Reels or Cable Drums	Connect the runway cable to the absorbers and control the payout during engagement.
Anchor and Support Systems	Portable foundations or stakes securing the unit on either side of the runway.
Control Unit and Braking Fluid System	Allow operators to adjust system pressure and monitor performance.
Transport Platform	Trailer-mounted or palletized modules enabling rapid deployment by truck or aircraft (e.g., C-130).

Key Types: MAAS and E-MAAS

These modular systems can be assembled in less than a day, allowing airbases to achieve full arresting capability within six to eight hours.

There are two primary versions of mobile aircraft arresting systems used around the world:

MAAS (Mobile Aircraft Arresting System)Based on the BAK-12 rotary hydraulic arresting gear, MAAS is a field-deployable system designed for quick setup and removal. It supports a range of fighter aircraft including the F-16, F/A-18, Mirage, and Typhoon, capable of safely managing engagement speeds up to 250 knots.

E-MAAS (Expeditionary Mobile Aircraft Arresting System)The E-MAAS is a lighter and more modular development of the MAAS. It can be transported in fewer containers and installed even faster, making it ideal for expeditionary operations, humanitarian airfields, or remote bases. It needs minimal ground preparation and can be deployed on unpaved or semi-prepared runways.

Both systems are engineered for quick relocation and reliable operation under extreme environmental conditions, from scorching desert runways to icy Arctic airfields.

Deployment and Operation in the Field

One of the greatest strengths of the MAS is its deployment flexibility. The system can be:

• Truck-mounted or palletized for rapid transport by cargo aircraft.

• Installed on temporary or emergency runways using portable anchor systems.

• Operated manually or semi-automatically, depending on mission requirements.

Once in place, the system undergoes alignment, cable tensioning, and hydraulic calibration according to aircraft type, weight, and expected landing speed. During active operations, trained arresting crews remain on standby to inspect and reset the system after each engagement.

Personnel training typically follows NATO or U.S. Air Force standards, focusing on safety checks, hydraulic system calibration, and cable replacement intervals to ensure reliability at all times.

Benefits and Applications Mobile Aircraft Arresting System

The MAS provides a combination of mobility, safety, and cost-effectiveness that makes it indispensable in modern aviation support operations.

• Safety Assurance: Acts as a vital emergency backup when aircraft experience brake or hydraulic failures.

• Mobility: Can be deployed virtually anywhere, including highways and forward operating bases.

• Cost Efficiency: Prevents damage to high-value aircraft and reduces the risk of runway incidents.

• Operational Readiness: Enables uninterrupted air operations in austere, temporary, or rapidly changing environments.

• Flexibility for Civil Airports: Allows civil airports to support fighter jet operations or military exercises without permanent installations.

Today, MAS systems are used by air forces, NATO units, and defense organizations worldwide, ensuring mission safety and continuity in both combat and humanitarian operations.