Mark 7 Receives ARC Upgrade

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, Patuxent River, Md. --- A little upgrade in technology is going a long way for Sailors and aircraft, and gathering some significant words of encouragement along the way.>> The Advanced Recovery Control (ARC) is a digital arresting-gear control system modification for the Mark 7 arresting gear found on Fleet carriers.>> ARC replaces the older, mechanical system which utilized levers and mechanical actuators to control landing aircraft. The upgrade to a digitally controlled system allows for easier maintenance and use. Because of its ability to digitally monitor and automate the control system, ARC removes the human error factor, making it a more accurate and reliable system, lessening the damage to aircraft and potential injuries to Sailors.>> The Mark 7 Arresting Gear remains the same, said Wayne Kovas, ARC team lead. However, instead of being controlled by levers and [mechanical] actuators to set the engine and to stop the aircraft as was the case previously, all of that work is done by an electronic system. These electronic upgrades feature less moving parts to replace or repair and offer better reliability.>> ARC is installed at the Naval Air Systems Command Lakehurst, N.J., test sites. Before it was sent to the Fleet, ARC underwent simulated arrestment testing at the Lakehurst Jet Car Track, assuring systems function during deployment.>> ARCs initial installation was on the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) Nov. 24, 2007. Since its installation, the ship has accomplished more than10,000 arrested landings. ARC was recently installed on the USS John C Stennis (CVN 74) and will be begin use on a three month deployment in Winter 2009.