Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  (Redirected from EMALS)
Jump to: navigation, search
A computer generated model of the linear induction motor used in the EMALS.
End speed 28–103 m/s
Max. peak-to-mean tow force ratio 1.05
Launch energy 122 MJ
Cycle time 45 seconds
System weight < 225,000 kg
System volume < 425 m³
Endspeed variation −0 to +1.5 m/s

The Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) is a system under development by the United States Navy to launch carrier-based aircraft from an aircraft catapult using a linear motor drive instead of the conventional steam piston drive. The main advantage is that this system allows for a more graded acceleration, inducing less stress on the aircraft's airframe.

Other advantages include lower system weight, lower cost, and decreased maintenance requirements. It also will provide the ability to launch aircraft that are both heavier or lighter than the conventional system can accommodate. In addition the system has limited requirements for fresh water, reducing the need for energy-intensive desalination.

Design and development[edit]

The EMALS is being developed by General Atomics for the U.S. Navy's newest Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers.

In June 2010, the land-based prototype of the system passed initial tests, with the first aircraft launch from the system taking place at the end of 2010.[1]

Linear induction motor[edit]

The EMALS uses a linear induction motor (LIM), which uses electric currents to generate magnetic fields that propel a carriage down a track to launch the aircraft.[2] The EMALS consists of four main elements:[3] The linear induction motor consists of a row of stator coils that have the function of a conventional motor’s armature. When energized, the motor accelerates the carriage down the track. Only the section of the coils surrounding the carriage is energized at any given time, thereby minimizing reactive losses. The EMALS' 300-foot (91 m) LIM will accelerate a 100,000-pound (45,000 kg) aircraft to 130 knots (240 km/h).[2]

Energy storage subsystem[edit]

The induction motor requires a large amount of electric power; more than the ship's own power source can provide. The EMALS energy-storage subsystem draws power from the ship and stores energy kinetically on rotors of four disk alternators,and then releases that energy in a very short period of time.[4] Each rotor can store more than 100 megajoules, and can be recharged within 45 seconds of a launch, faster than steam catapults.[2]

Power conversion subsystem[edit]

During launch, the power conversion subsystem releases the stored energy from the disk alternators using a cycloconverter.[2] The cycloconverter provides a controlled rising frequency and voltage to the LIM, energizing only the small portion of stator coils that affect the launch carriage at any given moment.[4]

Control consoles[edit]

Operators control the power through a closed loop system. Hall effect sensors on the track monitor its operation, allowing the system to ensure that it provides the desired acceleration. The closed loop system allows the EMALS to maintain a constant tow force, which helps reduce the launch stresses on the plane’s airframe.[2]

Program status[edit]

The Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System at Naval Air Systems Command, Lakehurst, launching a United States Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet during a test on 18 December 2010


Compared to steam catapults, EMALS weighs less, occupies less space, requires less maintenance and manpower, is more reliable, recharges more quickly, and uses less energy. Steam catapults, which use about 614 kilograms of steam per launch, have extensive mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic subsystems.[4] EMALS uses no steam, which makes it suitable for the Navy's planned all-electric ships.[12] The EMALS could be more easily incorporated into a ramp.[4]

Compared to steam catapults, EMALS can control the launch performance with greater precision, allowing it to launch more kinds of aircraft, from heavy fighter jets to light unmanned aircraft.[12] EMALS can also deliver 29 percent more energy than steam's approximately 95 megajoules, increasing the output to 122 megajoules.[4] The EMALS will also be more efficient than the 5-percent efficiency of steam catapults.[2]

Systems that use or will use electromagnetic aircraft launch systems[edit]

EMALS is a design feature of the Ford-class carrier.[13] Such a launch system was also considered as a retrofit for carriers of the Nimitz class, but was not workable due to the high electrical power requirements of the EMALS catapults, requirements that the two Westinghouse A4W reactors on board the ships of this class could not provide. [14] John Schank stated: "The biggest problems facing the Nimitz class are the limited electrical power generation capability and the upgrade-driven increase in ship weight and erosion of the center-of-gravity margin needed to maintain ship stability." [15] Therefore the newer Ford class' carriers were equipped with powerplants that produce more power than the ship actually needs as of now. This allows unforeseen technological advances to be implemented later, something which evidently was not possible with the Nimitz when the possibility for EMALS was considered on this class.

Converteam UK were working on an electro-magnetic catapult (EMCAT) system for the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier.[16] In August 2009, speculation mounted that the UK may drop the STOVL F-35B for the CTOL F-35C model, which would have meant the carriers being built to operate conventional (CV) take off and landing aircraft utilizing the UK-designed non-steam EMCAT catapults.[17][18]

In October 2010, the UK Government announced it had opted to buy the F-35C, using a then-undecided CATOBAR system. A contract was signed in December 2011 with the General Atomics Company of San Diego to develop EMALS for the Queen Elizabeth-class carriers.[16][19] However, in May 2012, the UK Government reversed its decision after the projected costs rose to double the original estimate and delivery moved back to 2023, cancelling the F-35C option and reverting to its original decision to buy the STOVL F-35B.[20]

Rear Admiral Yin Zhuo of the People's Liberation Army Navy has said that China's next aircraft carrier will also have an electromagnetic aircraft launch system.[21]

The concept of a ground carriage is intended for civilian use and takes the idea of an electromagnetic aircraft launch system one step further, with the entire landing gear remaining on the runway for both takeoff and landing.[22]

See also[edit]


  1. ^ "Carrier Launch System Passes Initial Tests". Aviation Week. 7 June 2010. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f Schweber, Bill (2002-04-11). "How It Works" (PDF). EDN Magazine. Retrieved 2014-11-07. 
  3. ^ http://www.ga.com/atg/EMS/m1346.php
  4. ^ a b c d e Doyle, Samuel, Conway, and Klimowski (1994-04-15). "Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System - EMALS" (PDF). Retrieved 2009-01-14. 
  5. ^ http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.NAVAIRNewsStory&id=4620
  6. ^ http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.NAVAIRNewsStory&id=4623
  7. ^ http://www.navair.navy.mil/NewsReleases/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.view&id=4468
  8. ^ "USN undertakes first EMALS Hornet launch". Air Forces Monthly (Key Publishing Ltd) (275): page 18. March 2011. ISSN 0955-7091. 
  9. ^ "Navy's new electromagnetic catapult 'real smooth'". Newbury Park Press. September 28, 2011. Retrieved 2011-10-04. 
  10. ^ "New carrier launch system tested". Security Industry. UPI. October 3, 2011. Retrieved 2011-10-04. 
  11. ^ "F-35C launches from emals". 
  12. ^ a b Lowe, Christian. "Defense Tech: EMALS: Next Gen Catapult". Retrieved 2008-02-27. 
  13. ^ AVIATIONWEEK.COM Carrier Launch System Passes Initial Tests
  14. ^ Launch-Systems.com
  16. ^ a b "Converteam develops catapult launch system for UK carriers" By Tim Fish, Jane's. 26 July 2010
  17. ^ "Britain rethinks jump jet order". UPI.com. 12 August 2009. Retrieved 14 August 2009. 
  18. ^ Harding, Thomas (5 August 2009). "Defence jobs at risk". London: Telegraph.co. Retrieved 14 August 2009. 
  19. ^ Hoyle, Craig. "Cameron: UK to swap JSFs to carrier variant, axe Harrier and Nimrod." Flightglobal.com, 19 October 2010.
  20. ^ "It’s Official: UK to Fly F-35B JSFs". Retrieved 19 July 2012. 
  21. ^ "Chinese aircraft carrier should narrow the gap with its U.S. counterpart". english.peopledaily.com.cn. People's Daily. 18 October 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2013. 
  22. ^ Rohacs, Daniel; Voskuijl, Mark; Rohacs, Jozsef; Schoustra, Rommert-Jan (March 4, 2014). "Preliminary evaluation of the environmental impact related to aircraft take-off and landings supported with ground based (MAGLEV) power". Journal of Aerospace Operations (2): 161. 

External links[edit]