I tripped out when I saw hooks on F-16s. The guard unit switched to F-15s, but I haven’t looked close enough to see if they have hooks too. Probably do.
I tripped out when I saw hooks on F-16s. The guard unit switched to F-15s, but I haven’t looked close enough to see if they have hooks too. Probably do.
15s have hooks.
They are there for arresting brake failure landings and also aborting takeoffs.
I know one USAF pilot who had to use his tailhook a couple of times, once for the brake failure landing and once for the aborted takeoff. Both in F-4s.
Another reason for the tail hooks, and the most common use, is for anchoring the aircraft so that maintenance can fun full blast engine tests.