[MarchonDC09122009]

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?...

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

“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.

[rednesss]

"as the US Navy found out last year when a Russian plane electronically disabled one of our ships."

Because the Russians said they did????

[Former Proud Canadian]

"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."

Reference? Link?

[DoodleDawg]

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?...

If that happened then I assume the fact that you had a steam catapault wouldn't make any difference. If the electronics are fried in the ship and the airplanes then there isn't anything to launch anyway.