US Navy is testing an electromagnetic catapult to launch planes from aircraft carriers

Posted 2015-03-23 16:24 by with 0 comments

US Navy is testing an electromagnetic catapult to launch planes from aircraft carriers

For almost as long as aircraft carriers have existed, they’ve been equipped with steam-powered catapults to help fighters and bombers get airborne. That’s a remarkably old-fashioned technology when you’re launching stealth fighters that cost upwards of $20 million each.

The US Navy is now testing a replacement system called the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) aboard the new USS Gerald R. Ford. It uses a burst of electromagnetic energy to launch planes much more smoothly and efficiently than the old steam catapults. Aircraft carriers range from big to gigantic as far as ships go, but the runways simply aren’t long enough for most planes to generate sufficient lift before they tumble off into the water. So, you need something to coax planes into the air a little faster, but steam catapults come with drawbacks.

A steam catapult takes up a great deal of space and weigh in excess of 1,300 pounds. These systems take a long time to recharge after each launch, and the launch itself is rather abrupt. There’s no smooth acceleration with a steam piston, resulting in increase wear on the body of the aircraft. Steam catapults also, surprisingly, use more power than the EMALS system. The switch to an electromagnetic linear motor drive allows for smooth acceleration, improved reliability, and a much more efficient design.

For almost as long as aircraft carriers have existed, they’ve been equipped with steam-powered catapults to help fighters and bombers get airborne. That’s a remarkably old-fashioned technology when you’re launching stealth fighters that cost upwards of $20 million each.

The US Navy is now testing a replacement system called the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) aboard the new USS Gerald R. Ford. It uses a burst of electromagnetic energy to launch planes much more smoothly and efficiently than the old steam catapults. Aircraft carriers range from big to gigantic as far as ships go, but the runways simply aren’t long enough for most planes to generate sufficient lift before they tumble off into the water. So, you need something to coax planes into the air a little faster, but steam catapults come with drawbacks.

A steam catapult takes up a great deal of space and weigh in excess of 1,300 pounds. These systems take a long time to recharge after each launch, and the launch itself is rather abrupt. There’s no smooth acceleration with a steam piston, resulting in increase wear on the body of the aircraft. Steam catapults also, surprisingly, use more power than the EMALS system. The switch to an electromagnetic linear motor drive allows for smooth acceleration, improved reliability, and a much more efficient design.

The EMALS platform works by using an electric current to generate magnetic fields that propel a carriage down the track built into the runway. Attach a plane to the carriage, and you’ve got an electromagnetic catapult. EMALS has been tested with the F/A-18, E2D Advanced Hawkey, and upcoming F-35 among others. One important aspect of this system is that operators can adjust the launch speed based on the weight of the aircraft.

The ground-based EMALS tests have all been successful, but the upcoming tests aboard the USS Ford will be the main event. If all goes as planned. the US Navy could permanently move away from the archaic steam catapult.

Watch a video here.

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