Noise measurements of the F-35C on an aircraft carrier flight deck

• DOI: 10.1121/1.4969663
• Publication Date: 2016-11-18T18:02:34Z
• Authors: Nourhan K. Abouzahra; Alan T. Wall; Richard L. McKinley; Billy J. Swayne; Michael J. Smith; Allan C. Aubert
• Keywords: 0103 physical sciences; 01 natural sciences

In 2015, scientists from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in collaboration with other teams performed noise measurements of the F-35C aircraft aboard a Nimitz-class carrier. The purpose of the measurements was to quantify the crewmembers’ exposure to noise. The measurements were taken using hand-held noise recorder systems, and the recording engineers shadowed actual locations of crew. The near-field noise levels caused by aircraft are reported in the areas experienced by crew on board aircraft carriers. High noise levels can interfere with communications and may pose a risk for hearing loss. These data represent a unique measurement; the previous measurement of aircraft noise from catapult launches and wire arrestments aboard a carrier occurred more than 15 years ago.