Since Machinbird's reckoning exercize proposition (KE reckoning when the F-4 was catching the wire) which seemed easy (I used the easiest frame : the Ship), the question of absorbing the Bird's energy came on the table.
I discovered that we have to use a frame independant from the Ship to "stop" the Bird at the same speed that the Ship. But since you are using that frame , new factors (oscillation, first shock, thrust, geometry of wires, position of the Bird, Ship's speed modification, natural wind, crosswind, etc.) appeared of significant possible Megajoules.
I searched too if the frames were galilean, it seems they are.
Which additional terms would help to coherence of different frames and methods?
@ Machinbird and your Navy's apilots Friends
Which shocks did you experience with Ship doing its own wind ? Is it the same - or not - than natural wind? Reckoning and theories must correspond to experience.