Curtiss-Wright’s Advanced Mobile Aircraft Arresting Systems Enhance Royal Australian Air Force Operational Capabilities

By: Curtiss-Wright Corporation via Business Wire

April 16, 2025 at 16:00 PM EDT

Curtiss-Wright’s EMS Division today announced that the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) at RAAF Base Amberley has successfully conducted testing of Curtiss-Wright’s ESCO Mobile Aircraft Arresting Systems (MAAS), featuring the advanced 12 Rotor BAK-12 Energy Absorbers. This testing represents a significant upgrade to the RAAF's capabilities, providing enhanced braking performance essential for the demands of modern aviation.

Curtiss-Wright’s 12 Rotor BAK-12 Energy Absorber systems deliver improved braking capabilities compared to the previously fielded 8 Rotor variant. This enhancement is crucial for accommodating the anticipated higher weight and speed requirements associated with the F-35A fighter aircraft, ensuring the safety and effectiveness of operations and landings.

“Curtiss-Wright is proud to support the RAAF with our state-of-the-art aircraft arresting systems,” said Dave Micha, Sr. Vice President and General Manager of EMS division. “Our commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions is reflected in the capabilities of ESCO’s 12 Rotor BAK-12 Energy Absorbers, which are engineered to meet the challenges of today’s advanced military aircraft.”

Curtiss-Wright’s ESCO business, through its operations in Aston, PA and Genté, France, is a leading global supplier of military aircraft arresting systems and support services, offering a range of proven aircraft arresting solutions designed to meet the specifications and requirements of today's diverse fleet.

For more information, including images of the 12 Rotor BAK-12 Energy Absorbers, please visit the Australian Government Defense Website: https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2024-11-29/new-mobile-landing-capability-rolled-out. To learn more about Curtiss-Wright ESCO’s product and capabilities, please visit: https://www.cw-ems.com/arresting-systems/

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About Curtiss-Wright Corporation

Curtiss-Wright Corporation is a global integrated business that provides highly engineered products, solutions and services mainly to Aerospace & Defense markets, as well as critical technologies in demanding Commercial Power, Process and Industrial markets. We leverage a workforce of approximately 8,800 highly skilled employees who develop, design and build what we believe are the best engineered solutions to the markets we serve. Building on the heritage of Glenn Curtiss and the Wright brothers, Curtiss-Wright has a long tradition of providing innovative solutions through trusted customer relationships. For more information, visit www.curtisswright.com.