Can anyone please tell me what the circled thing in the picture is. its on the f/a-18 and it looks like a traffic light. I've seen a few shows like on discovery channel, and when the aircraft takes off, these flash like red yhellow and green and then the landing gear retracts...link for the pic : http://putfile.com/pic.php?pic=10/28521364820.jpg&s=x10

That would be the AOA (angle of attack indicator) lights for the LSO (landing Signal Officer). When you are gear down the aircraft is flown in reference to AOA. If you look in the cockpit you will see the indexer with three similar lights. This group of lights is for the LSO and gives an indication of your AOA status. If you are "on speed" the yellow or amber light is lit. If you are fast the green comes on, slow would be the red. LSO's can tell the "on speed" condition of the aircraft usually by its attitude alone, and this is easy during the day. At night its a bit more difficult so we have the lights to help. Most all modern Navy aircraft have something like this. The AOA is critical so the proper attitude is set so you can catch the arresting gear cables when coming aboard the ship.Hornit

> That would be the AOA (angle of attack indicator) lights for>the LSO (landing Signal Officer). When you are gear down the>aircraft is flown in reference to AOA. If you look in the>cockpit you will see the indexer with three similar lights.>This group of lights is for the LSO and gives an indication of>your AOA status. If you are "on speed" the yellow or amber>light is lit. If you are fast the green comes on, slow would>be the red.>> LSO's can tell the "on speed" condition of the aircraft>usually by its attitude alone, and this is easy during the>day. At night its a bit more difficult so we have the lights>to help. Most all modern Navy aircraft have something like>this. The AOA is critical so the proper attitude is set so you>can catch the arresting gear cables when coming aboard the>ship.>>Hornitthanks for you reply. I have another question though. these lights seem to be a bit too small to see from far away or in bad conditions. what happens then?

from far away they are using binoculars. And in bad conditions they are using a computer

The LSO can see the lights from a fair distance and really doesn't use them until the approaching aircraft is within roughly 3/4 of a mile to the ship. Then he will give calls to the pilot based on the light indications. Obviously they are easier to see at night.BudThis link runs through a carrier landing:http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1383520