An arresting cable retraction system for securing a cross-runway cable across an aircraft runway, comprising: a cable support block assembly configured to receive a cross-runway cable; a support arm assembly, the cable support block assembly being releasably secured to the support arm assembly, the support arm assembly comprising: a first axis of rotation about which the support arm assembly is configured to rotate during an aircraft rollover event, such that the cable is maintained above the runway; a second axis of rotation about which the cable support block assembly is configured to rotate during a retraction event, such that the cable is retracted into a runway trough; wherein the cable support block assembly comprises a lock mechanism that secures the support block assembly to the support arm assembly, wherein when the lock mechanism is locked, the support arm assembly is configured to rotate about the first axis of rotation upon aircraft wheel pressure to the cable support block assembly; and a retraction arm assembly, wherein the retraction arm assembly functions to release the lock mechanism to decouple the support block assembly from the support arm assembly, and wherein when the lock mechanism is unlocked, the support arm is configured to remain stationary and the support block assembly is configured to rotate about the second axis of rotation to retract the cable into the runway trough. a cable support block assembly configured to receive a cross-runway cable; a support arm assembly, the cable support block assembly being releasably secured to the support arm assembly, the support arm assembly comprising: a first axis of rotation about which the support arm assembly is configured to rotate during an aircraft rollover event, such that the cable is maintained above the runway; a second axis of rotation about which the cable support block assembly is configured to rotate during a retraction event, such that the cable is retracted into a runway trough; wherein the cable support block assembly comprises a lock mechanism that secures the support block assembly to the support arm assembly, wherein when the lock mechanism is locked, the support arm assembly is configured to rotate about the first axis of rotation upon aircraft wheel pressure to the cable support block assembly; and a first axis of rotation about which the support arm assembly is configured to rotate during an aircraft rollover event, such that the cable is maintained above the runway; a second axis of rotation about which the cable support block assembly is configured to rotate during a retraction event, such that the cable is retracted into a runway trough; wherein the cable support block assembly comprises a lock mechanism that secures the support block assembly to the support arm assembly, wherein when the lock mechanism is locked, the support arm assembly is configured to rotate about the first axis of rotation upon aircraft wheel pressure to the cable support block assembly; and a retraction arm assembly, wherein the retraction arm assembly functions to release the lock mechanism to decouple the support block assembly from the support arm assembly, and wherein when the lock mechanism is unlocked, the support arm is configured to remain stationary and the support block assembly is configured to rotate about the second axis of rotation to retract the cable into the runway trough.