electromagnetic catapult

Developed in the 1950s, steam catapults have proven exceptionally reliable. Carriers equipped with four steam catapults have been able to use at least one of them at 99.5% of the time.Schank, John. Modernizing the U.S. Aircraft Carrier Fleet, p. 80. These have, however, several drawbacks. One group of Navy engineers wrote: "The foremost deficiency is that the catapult operates without feedback control. With no feedback, there often occurs large transients in tow forces that can damage or reduce the life of the airframe."Doyle, Michael, Douglas Samuel, Thomas Conway, and Robert Klimowski. "Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System – EMALS". Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst. 1 March. p. 1. The steam system is massive, inefficient (4–6%),Doyle, Michael, "Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System – EMALS". p. 1. and hard to control. These control problems allow {{sclass|Nimitz|aircraft carrier|2}} steam-powered catapults to launch heavy aircraft, but not aircraft as light as many unmanned aerial vehicles.

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) developed the first operational modern electromagnetic catapult,{{cite web|url= https://www.navsea.navy.mil/Media/News/SavedNewsModule/Article/588870/navy-announces-successful-test-of-electromagnetic-catapult-on-cvn-78/ |title= Navy Announces Successful Test of Electromagnetic Catapult on CVN 78|website=US Navy |date=15 May 2015 |author= PEO Carriers Public Affairs}} named Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), for the United States Navy. The system was installed on USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, replacing traditional steam catapults. This innovation eliminates the traditional requirement to generate and store steam, freeing up considerable area below deck. With the EMALS, Gerald R. Ford can accomplish 25% more aircraft launches per day than the Nimitz class and requires 25% fewer crew members.{{cite web|title=New Ford-class aircraft carrier: 25 percent more flights per day|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2013/1109/USS-Gerald-R.-Ford-New-aircraft-carrier-with-25-percent-more-flights-per-day|work=The Christian Science Monitor|date=9 November 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109201309/http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2013/1109/USS-Gerald-R.-Ford-New-aircraft-carrier-with-25-percent-more-flights-per-day|archive-date=9 November 2013}} The EMALS uses a linear induction motor (LIM), which uses alternating current (AC) to generate magnetic fields that propel a carriage along a track to launch the aircraft.{{cite web|url=https://www.newenglandwire.com/application/emals-learning-to-launch/ |title=EMALS: Learning to Launch |website=New England Wire |date=4 May 2020 }}{{cite news |first=Bill |last=Schweber |title=How It Works |url=http://www.edn.com/Pdf/ViewPdf?contentItemId=4341471 |publisher=EDN Magazine |date=11 April 2002 |access-date=7 November 2014}} A system somewhat similar to EMALS, Westinghouse's electropult, was developed in 1946 but not deployed.{{cite web |last=Excell |first=Jon |url=http://www.theengineer.co.uk/archive/october-1946-westinghouse-unveils-the-electropult/1017387.article |title=October 1946 – Westinghouse unveils the Electropult |publisher=The Engineer |date=30 October 2013 |access-date=30 June 2017 |archive-date=7 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907164018/http://www.theengineer.co.uk/archive/october-1946-westinghouse-unveils-the-electropult/1017387.article |url-status=dead }}

China developed an electromagnetic catapult system in the 2000s for aircraft carriers, but with a different technical approach. Chinese adopted a medium-voltage, direct current (DC) power transmission system,{{cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2017/11/chinas-new-aircraft-carrier-to-use-advanced-jet-launch-system/ |title=China's New Aircraft Carrier to Use Advanced Jet Launch System |website=The Diplomat |date=6 November 2017 |first=Franz-Stefan |last=Gady}} instead of the alternating current catapult system that United States developed.{{cite web|url=https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2017/11/09/tech-breakthrough-chinas-next-carrier-could-feature-electromagnetic-launch-system/ |title=China claims breakthrough in electromagnetic launch system for aircraft carrier |website=Defense News |date=9 November 2017 |first=Mike |last=Yeo }}

The concept of a ground carriage is intended for civilian use and takes the idea of an electromagnetic aircraft launch system one step further, with the entire landing gear remaining on the runway for both takeoff and landing.{{Cite journal |last1=Rohacs |first1=Daniel |last2=Voskuijl |first2=Mark |last3=Rohacs |first3=Jozsef |last4=Schoustra |first4=Rommert-Jan |date=2013 |title=Preliminary evaluation of the environmental impact related to aircraft take-off and landings supported with ground based (MAGLEV) power |url=http://content.iospress.com/articles/journal-of-aerospace-operations/aop040 |journal=Journal of Aerospace Operations |volume=2 |issue=3–4 |pages=161–180 |doi=10.3233/AOP-140040 |url-access=subscription }}

Rear Admiral Yin Zhuo of the Chinese Navy said in 2013 that China's next aircraft carrier (later called "Fujian") would also have an electromagnetic aircraft launch system.{{cite web|url=http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90786/8429544.html|title=Chinese aircraft carrier should narrow the gap with its U.S. counterpart|date=18 October 2013|website=english.peopledaily.com.cn|publisher=People's Daily|access-date=18 October 2013}} Multiple prototypes have been spotted by the media in 2012, and aircraft capable of electromagnetic launching are undergoing testing at a Chinese Navy research facility.{{cite web |url=http://www.cankaoxiaoxi.com/mil/20160923/1314163.shtml |title=简氏:中国试飞改进型歼-15 或用于测试电磁弹射器_《参考消息》官方网站 |website=Cankaoxiaoxi.com |access-date=30 June 2017 |language=zh |archive-date=2 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202170104/http://www.cankaoxiaoxi.com/mil/20160923/1314163.shtml |url-status=dead }}

According to a report in July 2017, the construction of the Type 003 aircraft carrier has been rescheduled in order to choose between a steam or electromagnetic catapult and the latest competition results shows that the electromagnetic launchers will be used in the Type 003 aircraft carrier.{{cite web|url=http://en.yibada.com/articles/193745/20170212/china-s-third-aircraft-carrier-will-first-use-steam-catapults.htm |title=China's Third Aircraft Carrier will be First to use Steam Catapults to Launch Aircraft |website=yibada |date=12 February 2017 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2017-07-06/china-explores-electromagnetic-carrier-launch-system |title=China Explores Electromagnetic Carrier Launch System |website=AIN online |date=6 July 2017 }}

China's military chief claims a breakthrough in electromagnetic launch systems for aircraft carriers has been made, and will utilize such a system in the third aircraft carrier that China will build after Type 002. The launch system is powered by fossil fuel via generators and capacitors.{{cite web|url=http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2117947/breakthrough-power-most-advanced-jet-launch-system |title=Breakthrough to power most advanced jet launch system on China's second home-grown aircraft carrier |website=SCMP |date=1 November 2017 }}{{cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2017/11/chinas-new-aircraft-carrier-to-use-advanced-jet-launch-system/ |title=China's New Aircraft Carrier to Use Advanced Jet Launch System |website=The Diplomat |date=1 November 2017 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.janes.com/article/75396/china-claims-to-have-developed-conventionally-powered-electromagnetic-catapult |title=China claims to have developed conventionally powered electromagnetic catapult |website=Jane's 360 |date=2 November 2017 |access-date=16 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111151908/http://www.janes.com/article/75396/china-claims-to-have-developed-conventionally-powered-electromagnetic-catapult |archive-date=11 November 2017 |url-status=dead }} The design on the Type 003 carrier is being led by Rear Admiral Ma Weiming.

China's electromagnetic catapult has been installed on landing helicopter dock Sichuan and its third aircraft carrier, the aircraft carrier Fujian.{{Cite web |last=Sutton |first=H. I. |date=2021-04-15 |title=China's New Aircraft Carrier Is In Same League as US Navy's Ford Class |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/04/chinas-new-aircraft-carrier-is-in-same-league-as-us-navys-ford-class/ |access-date=2022-06-17 |website=Naval News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=布藍 |date=2020-08-03 |title=【國產航母】003型航母進入最後組裝進程 高清航拍照曝光 |url=https://www.hk01.com/即時中國/506044/國產航母-003型航母進入最後組裝進程-高清航拍照曝光 |access-date=2022-06-17 |website=香港01 |language=zh-HK}}

Russia's United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) is developing new launch systems for warplanes based on aircraft carriers, USC President Alexei Rakhmanov told TASS on 4 July 2018.{{cite news|url=http://tass.com/defense/1011912|title=Russia developing new launch catapults for aircraft carriers|date=4 July 2018|access-date=14 July 2018|agency=TASS}}

General Atomics EMALS was designed for and into the {{sclass|Gerald R. Ford|aircraft carrier|2}}.{{Cite web |url=http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=dti&id=news%2Fdti%2F2010%2F06%2F01%2FDT_06_01_2010_p42-228803.xml |title=Carrier Launch System Passes Initial Tests |access-date=11 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928220000/http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=%2Farticle-xml%2FDT_06_01_2010_p42-228803.xml |archive-date=28 September 2012 |url-status=dead }} A proposal to retrofit it into {{sclass|Nimitz|aircraft carrier|0}} carriers was rejected. John Schank said: "The biggest problems facing the Nimitz class are the limited electrical power generation capability and the upgrade-driven increase in ship weight and erosion of the center-of-gravity margin needed to maintain ship stability."Schank, John. Modernizing the U.S. Aircraft Carrier Fleet: Accelerating CVN 21 Production Versus Mid-Life Refueling. Santa Monica: Rand Corporation, 2005. p. 76.

In 2013, the Indian Navy reportedly sought to equip the aircraft carrier with electromagnetic catapult, which could enable the launching of larger aircraft as well as unmanned combat aerial vehicles.{{cite web |date=30 May 2013 |title=Indian Navy seeks EMALS system for second Vikrant-class aircraft carrier |url=http://www.naval-technology.com/news/newsindian-navy-seeks-emals-system-second-vikrant-class-aircraft-carrier |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130812100648/http://www.naval-technology.com/news/newsindian-navy-seeks-emals-system-second-vikrant-class-aircraft-carrier |archive-date=12 August 2013 |access-date=17 May 2015 |publisher=Naval Technology}} Though, it was initially planned to be imported from foreign firms for INS Vishal, reports as of 2024 suggests, it is being developed indigenously by Bharat Electronics with assistance from private sector companies. The system concept has been demonstrated to senior Indian Navy officials and Minister of Defence. The Navy plans to gain clearance for construction of ground-based full scale model to initiate development.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-07 |title=India Seeks Indigenous Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System for Upcoming IAC-III Carrier |url=https://defence.in/threads/india-seeks-indigenous-electromagnetic-aircraft-launch-system-for-upcoming-iac-iii-carrier.4298/ |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=India Defence |language=en-US}}

As per August 2024 media report, Research & Development Establishment (Engineers) has developed a scaled-down prototype capable of launching payloads up to 400 kg over a short span of 16 to 18 meters. For further development and to scale up for usage on future aircraft carriers, they are currently searching for industry partners. Platforms weighing up to 40-tons can be handled by the system. Two crucial technologies that have been successfully developed for electromagnetic catapult are Pulse Power, which controls the electromagnetic catapult's power requirements and ensures precise and dependable launches, and Linear Electric Machine, which produces the electromagnetic force required to launch aircraft.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-12 |title=DRDO Nears EMALS Breakthrough for Mach 6 Aircraft Launches, Seeks Industry Partner for Further Development |url=https://defence.in/threads/drdo-nears-emals-breakthrough-for-mach-6-aircraft-launches-seeks-industry-partner-for-further-development.9878/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=Defence.in |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Aarav |date=2024-08-24 |title=India’s EMALS Breakthrough: DRDO and HAL Push the Boundaries of Naval Aviation Technology |url=https://pune.news/defence/indias-emals-breakthrough-drdo-and-hal-push-the-boundaries-of-naval-aviation-technology-218579/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=PUNE.NEWS |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Prasad |first=Manish |date=23 August 2024 |title=Electromagnetic Launch System |url=https://x.com/manishindiatv/status/1826828337106264123 |access-date=14 September 2024 |website=X (formerly Twitter)}}{{Cite web |last=Navy |first=Indian |date=21 February 2024 |title=Maritime Technical Exposition 2024 |url=https://x.com/indiannavy/status/1760307677702521197 |access-date=15 September 2024}}

• Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier (in service){{Cite book |last=Zhao |first=Suisheng |author-link=Suisheng Zhao |title=The Taiwan Question in Xi Jinping's Era: Beijing's Evolving Taiwan Policy and Taiwan's Internal and External Dynamics |publisher=Routledge |year=2024 |isbn=9781032861661 |editor-last=Zhao |editor-first=Suisheng |editor-link=Suisheng Zhao |location=London and New York |pages=18 |chapter=Is Beijing's Long Game on Taiwan about to End? Peaceful Unification, Brinksmanship, and Military Takeover |doi=10.4324/9781003521709}}

• Chinese aircraft carrier Fujian (undergoing sea trials)
• Type 076 landing helicopter dock{{Cite web |title=视频丨满载排水量4万余吨！海军四川舰来了 舷号“51” - 新华网客户端 |url=https://app.xinhuanet.com/news/article.html?articleId=f646901fd796a16d1e8c3172e16c2c4c |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=app.xinhuanet.com}}
• Type 004 aircraft carrier (planned)

• Future French aircraft carrier (planned)

• Project 23000 (proposed)

• INS Vishal (proposed)

• Coilgun
• Railgun
• Mass driver
• Modern United States Navy carrier air operations
• Naval aviation

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/systems/emals.htm "Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System – EMALS"], GlobalSecurity.org
• [http://www.theengineer.co.uk/archive/october-1946-westinghouse-unveils-the-electropult/1017387.article "Electropult"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907164018/http://www.theengineer.co.uk/archive/october-1946-westinghouse-unveils-the-electropult/1017387.article |date=7 September 2015 }}
• [https://www.eeworldonline.com/electromagnetic-rail-aircraft-launch-system-objectives-principles/ The electromagnetic rail aircraft launch system, Pt 1: Objectives and principles] EEWorldonline.com
• [https://www.eeworldonline.com/electromagnetic-rail-aircraft-launch-system-implementation-issues/ The electromagnetic rail aircraft launch system, Pt 2: Implementation and issues] EEWorldonline.com

Category:Aircraft carriers

Category:Electromagnetic components

Category:Linear induction motors

Category:Naval aviation technology