https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_Aircraft_Launch_System
EMALS is not the problem.
The procurement system is.
Just another attempt by press to demonize trump.
They’re trying to make him sound like a fickle loose canon insisting on things outside of his expertise.
They carefully ignore or hide the possibility that he was given sound advice by relevant experts that the new tech was a big mistake he should fight against.
I am not some personality cult worshiper of trump, I just have so little trust in what I read from the press
Would you please give us some idea of what the debate is?
Amusement parks are now using the new technology and in reality have been at the forefront for a while now. It is actually much easier and less resource intensive than the steam. Although steam is readily available, especially on nuke carriers because to the steam required for the turbines to create energy for the screws, the piping and maintenance of those lines and controls is far more intensive that the ELMS. Both take their energy from the same source, the steam generated power for the entire carrier.
https://www.cnet.com/news/need-for-speed-how-coasters-are-getting-faster-and-scarier/
We aren't going back to steam catapults no matter how much the salty old dogs wish we would. EMALS allows for smaller crews which is where all Navy shipbuilding is headed but most importantly, EMALS allows for launching of lighter UAVs, which is where all of naval aviation is headed. Steam is too powerful for these lighter, unmanned aircraft.
President Trump kinda blundered on this a bit and it might have been preferable if he had expressed his criticism in a less public manner.
I like steam catapult as the aircraft carrier goes chuga chuga woo! woo! as it launches aircraft vs electric catapult which just goes whiiirrr whoosh!
The concept sounds good but from articles I've read reliability of the EMALS was a problem. Don't know if that has been ironed out.
The steam cats and arresting gear are both hellish places to operate and maintain, brutal but reliable, proven.
There are a myriad of benefits behind getting away from the steam cats. Problem is, whatever you replace it with has to be as reliable as the steam system.
Something else about the FORD, they have a new Arresting Gear system, which has had it's own problems.
Saw this article here, that touches on that subject.
Navy Sticking With Advanced Arresting Gear in Next Carrier
Development was delayed. Same contractor as the EMALS system?
That's probably what has Trump upset, cost overruns and delays!