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Naval
Forces News - USA |
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US
Navy Announces Successful Test of Electromagnetic Catapult EMALS on
CVN 78 Ford class |
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The
US 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. |
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 NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (Nov. 17, 2013) 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) |
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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. |
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The future USS GERALD R. FORD (CVN 78) completed 22 no-load test movements
of its Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System. The tests were a success,
and the shuttle moved in excess of 180 knots. US Navy video |
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"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. Link to Gerald R. Ford Class (CVN-78) Aircraft Carrier technical datasheet |
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