The report presents results of Mark 4 Mod 2 bridle-arrester development support and evaluation tests which consisted of 105 aircraft bridle arrestments, 274 bridle no-load arrestments, and 2 deadload bridle arrestments. Evaluation of the bridle-arrester break-system components, modified bridle-arrester deck hardware, and bridle-arrester retract system components was accomplished. (Author).

Report presents results of Mark 4 Mod 2 bridlearrester development support and evaluation tests for the period of 12 August 1964 through 30 April 1965, which consisted of 210 aircraft bridle arrestments and 622 bridle no-load arrestments. Evaluation of the basic Mark 4 Mod 2 bridle-arrester performance, bridle-arrester brake-system components, and modified bridlearrester deck hardware was accomplished. (Author).

Report presents results of aircraft compatibility tests conducted with the shore-based TC13 Mod 1 catapult and Mark 4 Mod 2 bridle arrester. Instrumented A-1G, A-3A, A-3B, A-4B, A-4E, A-5A, RA-5C, A-6A, E-2A, F-4A, F-4B, F-8A, F-8D, and F-8E aircraft were utilized in the test program. Test data were obtained for use in the preparation of Aircraft Launching Bulletins for the USS AMERICA (CVA66) and to insure compatibility of all current launching accessories for C13 Mod 1 catapults and Mark 4 Mod 2 bridle-arrester systems. Evaluation of aircraft launching performance (end speeds, load levels, OFF-CENTER tracking, etc.) for nominal settings of significant catapult parameters was accomplished. Effect of maximum operational variations of the following catapult parameters was investigated: Hydraulic temperature, hydraulic pressure, cylinder elongation, tensioner force, and steam condition. (Author).

This first periodic report presents the results of the following test programs: NAEL(SI) deadload calibration, preliminary aircraft launchings, and retraction-engine development tests; and NATF(SI) deadload calibration, aircraft compatibility, and effect of cylinder elongation. Events 1 through 4,913 were accomplished (1,205 deadload, 398 aircraft, and 3,310 no-load launchings). An average of 6.5 deadload/aircraft launchings per day was achieved. Four type I failures (must stop to fix) occurred, and yielded a mean-time-between-failures of 909 and a reliability of 95.5 percent with respect to 40 consecutive launchings (nearly 75% of the launchings conducted were no-loads, which accounts for the high reliability index). The evaluation program revealed two major deficiencies resulting from the long stroke of the TC13 Mod 1 steam catapult: (1) the retraction-engine ram can be damaged if a launching occurs with the grab accidentally latched; (2) the service life of the standard piston guides is less than 1,000 launchings. Extended piston guides originally designed for the seven-ft water brakes are being tested as a possible solution to this problem. (Author).