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.

[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!

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Post or FReepmail me if you wish to be enlisted in or discharged from the Navair Pinglist.
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[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.