The first sea trial testing of the new MAGIC CARPET software was successfully completed by Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division engineers and test pilots in April.  

Boeing F/A-18 test pilots worked closely with the U.S. Navy on board the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) to integrate the software that allows fighter pilots to land their Super Hornet and Growler aircraft more accurately and consistently on carriers.  

MAGIC CARPET, an acronym for Maritime Augmented Guidance with Integrated Controls for Carrier Approach and Recovery Precision Enabling Technologies, is designed to automatically adjust the aircraft’s speed and angle of attack in relation to the intended landing surface. The software can also minimize the number of hard landings, reduce the number of post-hard landing inspections, and improve overall aircraft availability. Initial testing was successfully completed at Naval Air Station Patuxent River earlier this year.  

Check out the Navy’s stories highlighting the at-sea testing via these links:  

https://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.NAVAIRNewsStory&id=5904
https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=86765