Posted on 05/20/2015 9:33:27 AM PDT by Rio
The Navy conducted the first-ever, shipboard, full-speed catapult shots using the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) aboard the aircraft carrier Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), Naval Sea Systems Command announced May 15.
The aircraft carrier Pre-Commissioning Unit Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) transits the James River during the ship's launch and transit to Newport News Shipyard pier three for the final stages of construction and testing. Ford was christened Nov. 9, 2013, and is under construction at Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipyard. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Aidan P. Campbell/Released)The aircraft carrier Pre-Commissioning Unit Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) transits the James River during the ship's launch and transit to Newport News Shipyard pier three for the final stages of construction and testing. Ford was christened Nov. 9, 2013, and is under construction at Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipyard. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Aidan P. Campbell/Released)
EMALS is a carrier-based launch system designed to expand the operational capability of the Navy's future carriers to include all current and future planned carrier aircraft. The recent test shots, known as "no-loads" because no aircraft or other loads were attached to the launching shuttle, successfully demonstrated the integrated catapult system. Using electromagnetic technology, the system delivers substantial improvements in system maintenance, increased reliability and efficiency, higher-launch energy capacity, and more accurate end-speed control, with a smooth acceleration at both high and low speeds. By allowing linear acceleration over time, electromagnetic catapults also place less stress on the aircraft.
"This is a very exciting time for the Navy," said Program Executive Officer for Aircraft Carriers Rear Adm. Tom Moore. "For the first time in over 60 years, we've just conducted 22 no load test shots using electricity instead of steam technology."
During the tests, generators within the ship produced an electric pulse, which was passed through power conditioning electronics to linear motors just below the flight deck surface. This energy allowed for the linear motors to propel the launching shuttle down the catapult track in excess of 180 knots before bringing the shuttle to a stop at the end of the track.
The next phase of EMALS testing, scheduled for this summer, will involve launching "dead-loads" off of the bow of CVN 78 into the James River. "Dead-loads" are large, wheeled, steel vessels weighing up to 80,000 pounds to simulate the weight of actual aircraft. The dead-loads will be launched from each catapult using a specific test sequence to verify that the catapult and its components are operating satisfactorily.
To date PCU Gerald R. Ford is 90 percent complete and 1550 Sailors have reported for introduction and training. CVN 78 will be commissioned in March 2016.
bet it sends the old school compass crazy
They will most likely get this right, but steam....is awfully reliable....and when you apply it, it has torque right f’in now.
Not sure if I would want to sleep in a stateroom next to a cat track with that many trons running through it.
Sort of rail gun for airplanes?
Cool concept. basically a rail gun. Should allow for custom “tuning” the launch cycle for each aircraft type / weight.
Amen regarding the reliability of steam aircraft launch.
Also, we need to bear in mind the repercussions if a hostile EMP takes out essential electronic and electrical systems, as the US Navy found out last year when a Russian plane electronically disabled one of our ships.
Imagine a carrier not being able to launch any of its fixed wing aircraft because of an EMP disabled one of its under-shielded electronic / electrical command and control systems?...
Steam shots used to be full charge, sort of ON or OFF. The initial load was crazy high, and put a lot of stress on everything. Then they moved to progressive catapults that increased the pressure down the stroke. This resulted in the same end speed without the high initial forces.
The electric catapults will also be progressive, increasing force down the stroke.
Not all the old catapults were gone when I started out, and those old ones were really a shot in the pants.
I am waiting for them to rename the Ford the Soetoro.
“Imagine a carrier not being able to launch ...because of an EMP disable”
Yeah, that would be a grim scenario, though most likely, the steam catapult has numerous electronic controls and position interlock doohickeys that would be equally disabled..? I have seen that mechanism on the Stennis; as a tourist, not in the svce. It’s primitive in its way, but there’s no arguing with it if it’s armed and they let it go.
Would be interesting to see which superheroes could survive a direct hit from that.
Because the Russians said they did????
The new magnetic catapults take up a lot less room inside the ship than the steam systems use. I think that’s primary motivating factor.
Is that a true truth? The piston plus track didn’t seem like it took up much more room than the track itself, which I assume would be similar; and the pipes carrying the steam are pretty much there anyway. Meanwhile, the control center for the EM launch would be decidedly non trivial.
-Less maintenance
-No chance of a bad/weak Cat shot
Reference? Link?
Now the bad news. The EMALS cannot be used to launch tactical aircraft fitted with external fuel tanks. Too much shear force. This is a serious problem that, until solved, will eliminate many longer distance tac flights of fighters and attack aircraft.
Gotta be sure to check anybody near the EMALS for any metal plates, etc in the Body. It’s no good waking up to your roomie stuck to the wall or ceiling. (Think Monty Python cats)
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