US Navy Readying Electro-Magnetic Launch for New Carriers

Next Big Future ^ | January 13, 2009 | Brian Wang

[jmcenanly]

Current steam catapults use about 615 kg/ 1,350 pounds of steam for each aircraft launch, which is usually delivered by piping it from the nuclear reactor. Now add the required hydraulics and oils, the water required to brake the catapult, and associated pumps, motors, and control systems. The result is a large, heavy, maintenance-intensive system that operates without feedback control; and its sudden shocks affect airframe lifespans for carrier-based aircraft.

[jmcenanly]

This may be sometime into the future. the pilots who will be launched on these systems are probably playing on swings in grade school about now.

[xcamel]

we need the hypersonic railguns in production first...

[Sen Jack S. Fogbound]

The Magnetic Technology required will help the development of electirc cars, nuclear fusion reactors, and such.

Lots of payoffs all around!

[Vroomfondel]

ping

[edcoil]

This is cool but lets just leap to the next level like on Star Wars.

[Rudder]

The result is a large, heavy, maintenance-intensive system that operates without feedback control; and its sudden shocks affect airframe lifespans for carrier-based aircraft.

Tell us, what's the solution?

[exit82]

Beter not be prone to EMF attacks.

Otherwise the carrier becomes a jet parking lot.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Not that far off as the story you linked to notes. CVN-78 will be equipped with an EMALS.

080729-N-5549O-134 TUPELO, Miss. (July 29, 2008) Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) The Honorable Dr. Donald C. Winter receives a tour of General Atomics Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) manufacturing plant. EMALS is the next generation of aircraft catapult systems that will be installed on the newest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kevin S. O'Brien/Released)

070917-N-5549O-151 LAKEHURST, N.J. (Sept. 17, 2007) - Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) the Honorable Dr. Donald C. Winter receives a brief on Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) at Naval Air Engineering Station. EMALS is the next generation of aircraft catapult systems that is in the planning phase. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kevin S. O'Brien (RELEASED)

070917-N-5549O-084 LAKEHURST, N.J. (Sept. 17, 2007) - Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) the Honorable Dr. Donald C. Winter observes a no-load launch of the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) at Naval Air Engineering Station. EMALS is the next generation of aircraft catapult systems that is in the planning phase. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kevin S. O'Brien (RELEASED)

[KoRn]

I believe I saw a show on Discovery where they had a roller coaster powered by this technology. I could be wrong.

[A.A. Cunningham]

EMP

[KoRn]

"Beter not be prone to EMF attacks."

EMP?

[exit82]

EMP—thanks for the correction, A.A.!

[Kozak]

Hell of ride. Zero to about 40mph in a second...

[exit82]

EMP is correct—thanks. See post 12.

See, and I think no one reads my posts. ;)

[alloysteel]

For a brute-force, heavy-industrial launch system, the existing one sure is impressive.

Like having a 500-inch, supercharged, nitrous-injection drag-racer sitting on the drag strip, waiting for the light to drop.

Something just old-tech about that.

[staytrue]

60 megawatts at its peak

Not only EMP but this will broadcast a signal to everyone in the world that a launch is taking place.

[pfflier]

...which is usually delivered by piping it from the nuclear reactor...

I don't think so. Generated in association with the nuclear reactor...yes.

[PokeyJoe]

and make a nice juicy target for a sensor on the tip of a sea-skimming missile

[Traveler59]

But, but, but... According to the demoncrates, we don't need the military. (Do I really need the /sarc tag?)

- Traveler

[loungitude]

this will broadcast a signal to everyone in the world that a launch is taking place
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Your statement sounds very correct to me. Steam is “quiet” and they have plenty of it. It’s free on a nuke ship.

[Doctor Raoul]

That looks like a dead load launch in that last photo.

Yeah it’s not launching an aircraft. A “dead load” of similar weight is used for testing.

[Doctor Raoul]

That looks like a dead load launch in that last photo.

Yeah it’s not launching an aircraft. A “dead load” of similar weight is used for testing.

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

Here's a great idea. Since steam catapults have reliably launched carrier aircraft for decades, LET'S CHANGE TO SOMETHING ELSE!

It's NOT BROKE, so LET'S FIX IT!

This sounds like the infamous automated baggage handling system at Denver airport. How many tens of millions and it NEVER worked?

[El Sordo]

I don’t suppose you still drive a 1943 Oldsmobile without power steering or power brakes?

[Kevmo]

bmflr

[Doctor Raoul]

ALRE is maintenenace intensive. Heany and expensive too. We’ll see.

[Nuc1]

Mass drivers in space will be prohibited.

[calex59]

I believe I saw a show on Discovery where they had a roller coaster powered by this technology. I could be wrong.

You are correct. They have more than one running in the US and maybe more in Europe. They reach speeds of up to 90 miles per with the magnetic propulsion on Roller coasters. This is also the same type of technology, the basis anyway, of the Mag-lev trains that have been built in various places.

[Nuc1]

Well can’t speak for the rest but...I LOVE your truthful tag line!!! And I read all the posts on a thread when I am interested in it.

[mamelukesabre]

Uh, not unless they are already parked when the EMP hits.

[AFreeBird]

If EMP is going to be a problem, then, considering the digital nature of ships these days, the cat system isn't the only system that's going to be affected.

And if they can shield or harden the other systems, they can do that to the cat as well. And I figure they've probably taken EMP into account.

[mamelukesabre]

1973 international, without power steering or power brakes.

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

1911 Browning-designed semi-automatic pistols, with modern refinements, are still the standard by which others are judged.

The modern Vulcan cannon is essentially a faster version of the old Gatling gun.

Some stuff just works and I notice all wheels are still round though the design is quite dated.

[exit82]

I don’t suppose you still drive a 1943 Oldsmobile without power steering or power brakes?

As Marisa Tomei might say: "That's a trick question! There never was a 1943 Oldsmobile!"

My Cousin Vinny obscure reference.

[exit82]

Thanks. USS Spadefish alumni?

You probably have seen this site:

http://www.navsource.org/archives/08/08668.htm

[Doc91678]

According to Obama, all iffy DOD projects will soon be coming to a halt.
This may be one of them....
There again, if the DOD can come up with a good working model, Obama in his wisdom may still can the project.
If he can pick people like Clinton, Richardson, Holder and this new guy Geithner for his administration. We'd all better look out.

[magslinger]

SONOBUOY PING!

Click on pic for past Navair pings.

Post or FReepmail me if you wish to be enlisted in or discharged from the Navair Pinglist.
The only requirement for inclusion in the Navair Pinglist is an interest in Naval Aviation.
This is a medium to low volume pinglist.

[TXnMA]

That’s a conservative vessel: it’s advertising this forum... ‘-}

[A.A. Cunningham]

What carriers have you maintained a catapult aboard?

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

So, steam catapults don't work on aircraft carriers? Why have we spent billions of dollars building the current fleet of 11 aircraft carriers, including the one just commissioned, equipped with steam catapults when there is something else far superior?

I don't design, build or maintain aircraft carriers but you apparently want to argue those who do have been doing it wrong, at great expense, for a hell of a long time. That's not much of an argument to make to me or other taxpayers of the United States.

[servantoftheservant]

?? You seem to be arguing that because something works, there can be nothing better.

The world is full of improvements to existing tech. It just may be that there may be a better way to catapult aircraft than steam.

Clearly, you're not an expert on the subject, so your emotional response in favor of steam catapults is puzzling.

[HamiltonJay]

Nope he’s still sticking with the horse and buggy, it works he’s sticking with it.

[Cringing Negativism Network]

Seems to this civilian, without all the heavy mechanical hydraulic machinery the current launch systems need, you could actually convert one or more submarines into an aircraft launch platform - the landings would probably need to be back onto a traditional carrier.

Imagine being able to pop up out of nowhere - and suddenly there are 10 F-35’s in the air.

[Oztrich Boy]

"I think you're getting into the realms of fantasy here "

[Cringing Negativism Network]

Imperial Japanese Navy Sen Toku I400 Submarine Aircraft Carrier, WWII:

Imperial Japanese Navy Sen Toku I400 Submarine Aircraft Carrier, WWII:

[aruanan]

Wasn’t one of these featured in a Dirk Pitt novel?

[Cringing Negativism Network]

Not sure, sorry.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I-400_class_submarine

[Oztrich Boy]

Abd it took 45 minutes to get all three aircraft launched. That was risky surface exposure time even in WWII. Today it would be terminal.

Plus do you really want to cut a 1500 sqft rectangular hole in the pressure hull? Think any sailors would be willing to crew it? I predict an operational lifetime of one dive sequence.

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

This may be sometime into the future.

Nope, will be used on CVN-21.

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

Steam is “quiet” and they have plenty of it. It’s free on a nuke ship.

Not so, they have dedicate two reactors to generate steam for launch operations.