Shore-based test facility

A shore-based test facility (SBTF), also known as a land-based test facility, is used for the flight testing of aircraft that operate from aircraft carriers. They are also used for the training of the pilots who will operate the aircraft from the aircraft carriers. Only four countries in the world have SBTF or LBTF; they are China, India, Ukraine / Russia and the United States.[1][2][3]

Russian Naval Aviation Sukhoi Su-33 aircraft at Saky (air base) in Novofedorovka.
US Navy Boeing F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet takes-off from the Shore Based Test Facility during testing for the Indian Navy.

China

China's People's Liberation Army Navy has two test centers, one at Wuhan and one at Huludao.[4][5][6]

India

The Indian Navy's SBTF is located at INS Hansa in Goa, and is used to train and certify navy pilots of the Mikoyan MiG-29K for the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, and for the developmental trials of the naval HAL Tejas.[7][8][9] This SBTF was designed by Nevskoye Design Bureau (NDB) of Russia for Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA). The ski-jump resembles part of a parabola and has an inclination of 14 degrees. The highest point of the ski-jump is at 5.71 metres from the ground.[10]

Ukraine

The Ukrainian Navy inherited a former Soviet Naval Aviation base at Novofedorivka. This base now hosts the Nitka Naval Pilot Training Center, which is used by the Russian Navy to train their carrier pilots. This base, being in Crimea, is now in Russian control.[11][12][13]

United States

The United States Navy has been testing the new Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System from the land based launch facility at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.[14]

References
  1. "Asia's first 'Shore Based Test Facility' near Dabolim". The Times of India. 1 February 2014. Archived from the original on 9 February 2014. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
  2. "Asia's first SBTF commissioned into Indian Navy at Goa". The Hindu. 1 February 2014. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
  3. "Aircraft carrier in middle of Goa Airport". Defence News. 14 June 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
  4. Wines, Michael (25 April 2011). "Chinese State Media, in a Show of Openness, Print Jet Photos". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  5. Harding, Thomas. "Concrete evidence of China's naval ambitions". Telegraph. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  6. "China takes a Great Leap Forward in the Concrete Carrier Arms Race | Old Salt BlogOld Salt Blog". Oldsaltblog.com. 18 May 2011. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  7. "Arrester gear of Shore Based Test Facility for Naval LCA passes test". Frontier India. 4 December 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
  8. "India's shore-based test facility for carrier borne aircraft operationalised". Goa Shipyard. 31 January 2014. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
  9. "Maiden Flight of Light Combat Aircraft-Navy (NP1)". PIB. 27 April 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
  10. "Third In The World: India's Shore-based STOBAR Facility". Livefist. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  11. "Russia, Ukraine Revise Nitka Facility Lease". Ria.ru. 20 August 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
  12. "Russians Spy For China In Ukraine". Strategy Page. 24 February 2011. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
  13. "Russian sold secrets for China's first carrier - Ukraine sends him to prison". Washington Times. 14 February 2011. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
  14. "Navy tests new carrier launch system". UPI. 19 March 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
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