55-479: The Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System ( EMALS ) is a type of electromagnetic catapult system developed by General Atomics for the United States Navy . The system launches carrier-based aircraft by means of a catapult employing a linear induction motor rather than the conventional steam piston , providing greater precision and faster recharge compared to steam. EMALS was first installed on
110-467: A Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) action, merging it with two neighboring military bases, McGuire Air Force Base and Fort Dix , it established Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst , New Jersey, the nation's only tri-service installation. Each installation's major support services such as MWR , Legal , medical/dental-clinic , and exchange-services roles transitioned over to either Air Force or joint operation. However, both Lakehurst (and also Fort Dix,
165-474: A 5% efficiency. In May 2017, President Donald Trump criticized EMALS during an interview with Time , saying that in comparison to traditional steam catapults, "the digital costs hundreds of millions of dollars more money and it's no good". President Trump's criticism was echoed by a highly critical 2018 report from the Pentagon, which emphasized that reliability of EMALS leaves much to be desired and that
220-521: A March 2015 report, "Based on expected reliability growth, the failure rate for the last reported Mean Cycles Between Critical Failure was five times higher than should have been expected. As of August 2014, the Navy has reported that over 3,017 launches have been conducted at the Lakehurst test site, but have not provided DOT&E [Director, Operational Test and Evaluation] with an update of failures." In
275-684: A bright yellow painted chain, marks the spot where the gondola of the Hindenburg hit the ground. Lakehurst conducts the unique mission of supporting and developing the Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment and Support Equipment for naval aviation. Since the 1950s, aviation boatswain's mates have been trained at Lakehurst to operate catapults and arresting systems on aircraft carriers using rail guided jet donkeys pushing dead loads at 200 knots tested carrier arresting gear cables and tailhooks . The Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System and
330-601: A further 310 launches (including launches of the Boeing EA-18G Growler and McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet , as well as another round of testing with aircraft types previously launched during Phase 1). In Phase 2, various carrier situations were simulated, including off-center launches and planned system faults, to demonstrate that aircraft could meet end-speed and validate launch-critical reliability. On 28 July 2017, Lt. Cmdr. Jamie "Coach" Struck of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23 (VX-23) performed
385-461: A launch; this is faster than steam catapults. A maximum-performance launch using 121 MJ of energy from each disk alternator slows the rotors from 6400 rpm to 5205 rpm. During the launch, the power-conversion subsystem releases the stored energy from the disk alternators using a cycloconverter . The cycloconverter provides a controlled rising frequency and voltage to the LIM, energizing only
440-424: A scaled-down prototype capable of launching payloads up to 400 kg over a short span of 16 to 18 meters. For further development and to scale up for usage on future aircraft carriers, they are currently searching for industry partners. Platforms weighing up to 40-tons can be handled by the system. Two crucial technologies that have been successfully developed for electromagnetic catapult are Pulse Power, which controls
495-402: A separate control tower and pavement-mounted catapults and arresting gear for testing aircraft-carrier suitability of new naval aircraft and new flight-deck systems – is located approximately a mile to the northwest. Lakehurst is home to Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC) Aircraft Division, Lakehurst , which is the largest command on the field, followed by Fleet Logistics Squadron 64 , operating
550-434: A short span of 16 to 18 meters was successfully built by Pune based Research & Development Establishment (Engineers) . The electromagnetic catapult technology is now being scaled up for use on aircraft carriers. Platforms weighing up to forty tons can be handled by the proposed system. Electromagnetic catapult An electromagnetic catapult , also called EMALS ("electromagnetic aircraft launch system") after
605-456: A system in the third aircraft carrier that China will build after Type 002 . The launch system is powered by fossil fuel via generators and capacitors. The design on the Type 003 carrier is being led by Rear Admiral Ma Weiming . China's electromagnetic catapult has been installed on its third aircraft carrier, the aircraft carrier Fujian . Russia's United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC)
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#1732773183239660-577: A test range for ammunition being manufactured for the Imperial Russian Army in 1916. It was then acquired by the United States Army as Camp Kendrick during World War I . The United States Navy purchased the property in 1921 for use as an airship station and renamed it Naval Air Station Lakehurst ( NAS Lakehurst ). The United States Navy 's lighter-than-air program was conducted at Lakehurst from its inception through
715-518: Is an amalgamation of its location and the last name of Commander Louis H. Maxfield, who lost his life when the R-38/USN ZR-2 airship crashed during flight on 24 August 1921 near Hull , England. When it was consolidated with McGuire Air Force Base and Fort Dix in October 2009, it became the naval component of JB MDL — a United States Air Force – controlled installation — and
770-415: Is being developed indigenously by Bharat Electronics with assistance from private sector companies. The system concept has been demonstrated to senior Indian Navy officials and Minister of Defence . The Navy plans to gain clearance for construction of ground-based full scale model to initiate development. As per August 2024 media report, Research & Development Establishment (Engineers) has developed
825-535: Is developing new launch systems for warplanes based on aircraft carriers, USC President Alexei Rakhmanov told TASS on 4 July 2018. General Atomics EMALS was designed for and into the Gerald R. Ford -class aircraft carrier. A proposal to retrofit it into Nimitz -class carriers was rejected. John Schank said: "The biggest problems facing the Nimitz class are the limited electrical power generation capability and
880-490: Is that the catapult operates without feedback control . With no feedback, there often occurs large transients in tow forces that can damage or reduce the life of the airframe." The steam system is massive, inefficient (4–6%), and hard to control. These control problems allow Nimitz -class aircraft carrier steam-powered catapults to launch heavy aircraft, but not aircraft as light as many unmanned aerial vehicles . General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) developed
935-616: Is the United States Navy element representing USN and USMC entities for the Department of the Navy–specific asset and resources at Joint Base McGuire–Dix–Lakehurst (JB MDL), and administrative control over Naval personnel who are assigned to units that are assigned to the base. When the United States Department of Defense announced that Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst (NAES Lakehurst) would be affected by
990-593: Is the naval component of Joint Base McGuire–Dix–Lakehurst (JB MDL), a United States Air Force -managed joint base . The airfield is approximately 25 mi (40 km) east-southeast of Trenton in Manchester Township and Jackson Township in Ocean County, New Jersey , United States. It is primarily the home to Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Lakehurst , although the airfield supports several other flying and non-flying units as well. Its name
1045-499: Is well below the requirement of 4,166 MCBOMF." EMALS breaks down often and is not reliable, the Pentagon's director of testing Robert Behler reported after assessing 3,975 cycles on the USS Gerald R. Ford from November 2019 through September 2020. In April 2022, Rear Adm. Shane G. Gahagan at Naval Air Systems Command said that, despite reports to the contrary, the system is working fine and has achieved 8,500 "cats and traps" on
1100-905: The Advanced Arresting Gear system that will replace the existing steam catapults and the Mk-7 arresting gear are being developed and tested at Lakehurst at full-scale shipboard representative test facilities here. The former NAS Lakehurst also hosted the U.S. Navy's first helicopter squadrons, HU-1 (later HC-1) and HU-2 (later HC-2); the "A" and "C" enlisted training schools for the Aerographer's Mate (AG), Aviation Boatswain Mate (AB, ABE, ABF, ABH), and Parachute Rigger / Aircrew Survival Equipmentman (PR) ratings until their transfer to other Naval Air Technical Training Centers; and an Overhaul & Repair (O&R) facility for fixed-wing aircraft,
1155-598: The Navy Reserve Force's C-130T Hercules . In addition, the field is host to several CNATTU schools, the New Jersey Army National Guard 's aviation unit, as well as other tenant organisations from Ocean County , the state of New Jersey, United States Air Force , New Jersey Air National Guard , United States Public Health Service and the United States Department of Justice . Naval Support Activity Lakehurst ( NSA Lakehurst )
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#17327731832391210-399: The Nimitz class and requires 25% fewer crew members. The EMALS uses a linear induction motor (LIM), which uses alternating current (AC) to generate magnetic fields that propel a carriage along a track to launch the aircraft. A system somewhat similar to EMALS, Westinghouse 's electropult , was developed in 1946 but not deployed. China developed an electromagnetic catapult system in
1265-472: The lead ship of the Gerald R. Ford -class aircraft carrier , USS Gerald R. Ford , c. 2015. Its main advantage is that it accelerates aircraft more smoothly, putting less stress on their airframes . Compared to steam catapults, the EMALS also weighs less, is expected to cost less and require less maintenance, and can launch both heavier and lighter aircraft than a steam piston-driven system. It also reduces
1320-569: The runway for both takeoff and landing . Rear Admiral Yin Zhuo of the Chinese Navy has said that China's next aircraft carrier will also have an electromagnetic aircraft launch system. Multiple prototypes have been spotted by the media in 2012, and aircraft capable of electromagnetic launching are undergoing testing at a Chinese Navy research facility. According to a report in July 2017,
1375-549: The 1930s. NAS Lakehurst was the center of airship development in the United States and housed three of the U.S. Navy's four rigid airships , (ZR-1) Shenandoah , (ZR-3) Los Angeles , and (ZRS-4) Akron . A number of the airship hangars built to berth these ships still survive. Hangar One , in which the Shenandoah was built, held the record for the largest "single room" in the world. According to an article in
1430-432: The 2000s for aircraft carriers, but with a different technical approach. Chinese adopted a medium-voltage, direct current (DC) power transmission system, instead of the alternating current catapult system that United States developed. 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
1485-761: The Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System locally with the assistance of General Atomics . Converteam UK were working on an electromagnetic catapult (EMCAT) system for the Queen Elizabeth -class aircraft carrier . 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 takeoff and landing aircraft using
1540-674: The F-35C option and reverting to its original decision to buy the STOVL F-35B. China developed an electromagnetic catapult system in the 2000s for aircraft carriers, but with a different technical approach. Chinese adopted a medium-voltage, direct current (DC) power transmission system, instead of the alternating current catapult system that United States developed. India's Defence Research and Development Organisation began work on an indigenous electromagnetic catapult. A small-scale demonstrator capable of launching payloads up to 400 kg over
1595-645: The F/A-18E Super Hornet, T-45C Goshawk, C-2A Greyhound, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, and F-35C Lightning II) using the EMALS demonstrator installed at Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst . On completion of ACT 1, the system was reconfigured to be more representative of the actual ship configuration on board the USS ; Gerald R. Ford , which will use four catapults sharing several energy storages and power conversion subsystems. ACT Phase 2 began on 25 June 2013 and concluded on 6 April 2014 after
1650-515: The January, 1925 issue of National Geographic , the airship hangar "could house three Woolworth Buildings lying side by side." The base also housed many Navy non-rigid airships, otherwise knowns as "blimps," in several squadrons before, during, and after World War II . This included the U.S. Navy's ZPG-3W (EZ-1C), which was deactivated in September 1962. In 2006, after a 44-year hiatus,
1705-608: The Navy doesn't expect EMALS and AAG to reach reliability goals until the "2030's". The United States Navy is the first user of the General Atomics EMALS. It is installed on the Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier (in service). The French Navy is actively planning for a future aircraft carrier and new flagship. It is known in French as Porte-avions de nouvelle génération (new-generation aircraft carrier), or by
Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System - Misplaced Pages Continue
1760-516: The U.S. Navy resumed airship operations at Lakehurst with the MZ-3 . The installation was the site of the LZ 129 Hindenburg disaster on 6 May 1937. Despite the notoriety and well-documented nature of this incident, today there is a simple memorial that denotes the location of the crash at then–NAS Lakehurst in the field behind the large airship hangars on base. A ground marker, painted black, and rimmed by
1815-749: The UK-designed non-steam EMCAT catapults. In October 2010, the UK Government announced it would buy the F-35C, using a then-undecided CATOBAR system. A contract was signed in December 2011 with General Atomics of San Diego to develop EMALS for the Queen Elizabeth -class carriers. 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
1870-600: The US Navy's planned all-electric ships. 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. With up to 121 megajoules available, each one of the four disk alternators in the EMALS system can deliver 29% more energy than a steam catapult's approximately 95 MJ. The EMALS, with their planned 90% power conversion efficiency, will also be more efficient than steam catapults, which achieve only
1925-507: The USS Gerald R. Ford over the past two years. On 25 June 2022, the major milestone of 10,000 successful catapult launches and arrested landings aboard USS Gerald R. Ford was achieved. A June 2022 GAO report states "The Navy also continues to struggle with the reliability of the electromagnetic aircraft launch system and advanced arresting gear needed to meet requirements to rapidly deploy aircraft." The report also indicates
1980-490: The acronym PANG . The ship will be nuclear-powered and feature the EMALS catapult system. Construction of the PANG is expected to begin around 2025 and will enter service in 2038, the year the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is due to be retired. The Indian Navy has shown an interest in installing the EMALS system for its planned CATOBAR INS Vishal aircraft carrier . The Indian government has shown interest in producing
2035-415: The average rate of critical failures is nine times higher than the Navy's threshold requirements. In 2013, at the Lakehurst, New Jersey test site, 201 of 1,967 test launches failed, giving a 10% failure rate for the test series. Factoring in the then-current state of the system, the most generous numbers available in 2013 showed that EMALS has an average "time between failure" rate of 1 in 240. According to
2090-399: The carrier's requirement of fresh water, thus reducing the demand for energy-intensive desalination . Developed in the 1950s, steam catapults have proven exceptionally reliable. Carriers equipped with four steam catapults have been able to use at least one of them 99.5% of the time. However, there are a number of drawbacks. One group of Navy engineers wrote: "The foremost deficiency is that
2145-498: The catapult operates without feedback control . With no feedback, there often occurs large transients in tow force that can damage or reduce the life of the airframe." The steam system is massive, inefficient (4–6% useful work), and hard to control. These control problems allow Nimitz -class aircraft carrier steam-powered catapults to launch heavy aircraft, but not aircraft as light as many unmanned aerial vehicles . A system somewhat similar to EMALS, Westinghouse 's electropult ,
2200-450: The construction of the Type 003 aircraft carrier has been rescheduled in order to choose between a steam or electromagnetic catapult and the latest competition results shows that the electromagnetic launchers will be used in the Type 003 aircraft carrier. China's military chief claims a breakthrough in electromagnetic launch systems for aircraft carriers has been made, and will utilize such
2255-652: The electromagnetic catapult's power requirements and ensures precise and dependable launches, and Linear Electric Machine, which produces the electromagnetic force required to launch aircraft. Gerald R. Ford -class aircraft carrier (in service) Chinese aircraft carrier Fujian (undergoing sea trials) Type 076 landing helicopter dock (planned) Type 004 aircraft carrier (planned) Future French aircraft carrier (planned) Project 23000 (proposed) INS Vishal (proposed) Lakehurst Maxfield Field Lakehurst Maxfield Field , formerly known as Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst ( NAES Lakehurst ),
Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System - Misplaced Pages Continue
2310-875: The first EMALS catapult launch from USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) in an F/A-18F Super Hornet . By April 2021, 8,000 launch/recovery cycles had been performed with the EMALS and the AAG arrestor system aboard USS Gerald R. Ford . The USN also stated that the great majority of these cycles had occurred in the prior 18 months and that 351 pilots had completed training on the EMALS/AAG. Compared to steam catapults, EMALS weighs less, occupies less space, requires less maintenance and manpower, can in theory be more reliable, recharges quicker, and uses less energy. Steam catapults, which use about 1,350 lb (610 kg) of steam per launch, have extensive mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic subsystems. EMALS uses no steam, which makes it suitable for
2365-462: The first operational modern electromagnetic catapult, named Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), for the United States Navy . The system was installed on USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, replacing traditional steam catapults . This innovation eliminates the traditional requirement to generate and store steam, freeing up considerable area below deck. With the EMALS, Gerald R. Ford can accomplish 25% more aircraft launches per day than
2420-413: The flight deck and require no fresh water for their operation, thus reducing the need for energy-intensive desalination . Developed in the 1950s, steam catapults have proven exceptionally reliable. Carriers equipped with four steam catapults have been able to use at least one of them at 99.5% of the time. These have, however, several drawbacks. One group of Navy engineers wrote: "The foremost deficiency
2475-402: The forerunner of the former Naval Air Rework Facilities and Naval Aviation Depots (NADEPs) now known as Fleet Readiness Centers (FRCs). Today the base is used for various Naval Aviation development programs. Lakehurst Maxfield's main airfield has two 5,002 ft (1,525 m) runways under its own control tower, while a separate 13,000 ft (4,000 m) test runway (12/30) – equipped with
2530-414: The motor accelerates the carriage along the track. Only the section of the coils surrounding the carriage is energized at any given time, thereby minimizing reactive losses. The EMALS's 300-foot (91 m) LIM can accelerate a 100,000-pound (45,000 kg) aircraft to 130 kn (240 km/h; 150 mph). During a launch, the induction motor requires a large surge of electric power that exceeds what
2585-415: The rate of aircraft acceleration is more uniform (and is configurable), stress on the airframe is reduced considerably, resulting in increased safety and endurance and lower maintenance costs for the aircraft. Electromagnetic systems also weigh less, are expected to cost less and require less maintenance, and can launch both heavier and lighter aircraft than steam catapults. They also take up less space below
2640-479: The ship's own continuous power source can provide. The EMALS energy-storage system design accommodates this by drawing power from the ship during its 45-second recharge period and storing the energy kinetically using the rotors of four disk alternators ; the system then releases that energy (up to 484 MJ) in 2–3 seconds. Each rotor delivers up to 121 MJ (34 kWh) (approximately one gasoline gallon equivalent ) and can be recharged within 45 seconds of
2695-533: The small portion of stator coils that affect the launch carriage at any given moment. 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 launch stresses on the plane's airframe. Aircraft Compatibility Testing (ACT) Phase 1 concluded in late 2011 following 134 launches (aircraft types comprising
2750-558: The specific US system, is a type of aircraft launching system. Currently, only the United States and China have successfully developed it, and it is installed on the Gerald R. Ford -class aircraft carriers and the Chinese aircraft carrier Fujian . The system launches carrier-based aircraft by means of a catapult employing a linear induction motor rather than the conventional steam piston . Electromagnetic catapults have several advantages over their steam-based counterparts. Because
2805-543: The test configuration, EMALS could not launch fighter aircraft with external drop tanks mounted. "The Navy has developed fixes to correct these problems, but testing with manned aircraft to verify the fixes has been postponed to 2017". In July 2017 the system was successfully tested at sea on the USS Gerald R. Ford . A January 2021 DOT&E Report stated: "During the 3,975 catapult launches [...] EMALS demonstrated an achieved reliability of 181 mean cycles between operational mission failure (MCBOMF) [...] This reliability
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#17327731832392860-544: The third component of the installation) kept several service-specific support services for their personnel. With the disestablishment of NAES Lakehurst as a separate activity from JB MDL, NSA Lakehurst became the official sponsor for these activities. The person who is the Commanding Officer, NSA Lakehurst is also the primary Deputy Commander of JB MDL, and reports to Commander, Naval Region Mid-Atlantic (CNRMA) for all administrative and logistical concerns, and to
2915-506: The upgrade-driven increase in ship weight and erosion of the center-of-gravity margin needed to maintain ship stability." In 2013, the Indian Navy reportedly sought to equip the aircraft carrier with electromagnetic catapult, which could enable the launching of larger aircraft as well as unmanned combat aerial vehicles . Though, it was initially planned to be imported from foreign firms for INS Vishal , reports as of 2024 suggests, it
2970-425: Was developed in 1946 but not deployed. The EMALS uses a linear induction motor (LIM), which uses alternating current (AC) to generate magnetic fields that propel a carriage along a track to launch the aircraft. The EMALS consists of four main elements: The linear induction motor consists of a row of stator coils with the same function as the circular stator coils in a conventional induction motor. When energized,
3025-517: Was placed under the 87th Air Base Wing . However, as with all joint bases, the installation receives support services from the previous installation authorities. Thus, Lakehurst Field is also provided certain services from Naval Support Activity Lakehurst ( NSA Lakehurst ), whose commander also serves as one of two Base Deputy Commanders. Lakehurst field was the site of the Hindenburg disaster in 1937. Lakehurst Maxfield Field's history began as
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