Which type of landing gear is typically designed for rough terrain landings?

Tailwheel gear, often known as conventional landing gear, is well-suited for rough terrain landings due to its design characteristics. The configuration consists of two main wheels located at the front of the aircraft and a smaller wheel, or tailwheel, at the back. This design helps the aircraft to have a better angle of approach when landing, allowing it to handle uneven surfaces more effectively.

When aircraft with tailwheel configurations land on rough terrain, they are less likely to damage the nose of the aircraft, which is elevated above the ground in this setup. The tailwheel allows for better maneuverability and stability on such surfaces as it positions the center of gravity more towards the rear, which can help in recognizing and correcting for potential rough ground handling.

In contrast, tricycle gear, although popular for general aviation and commercial aircraft, can be less effective on rough terrain because the nose gear can be more vulnerable to impacts and obstructions. Fixed gear and retractable gear configurations also typically do not provide the same level of ruggedness as tailwheel gear, making them less suitable for operations in environments with significant surface irregularities.