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Electromagnetic catapult

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For the system under development by the United States, see Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System.

Diagram of the launch system

An electromagnetic catapult, also known as the electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) when specifically referring to the system used by the United States Navy, is a type of aircraft catapult that uses a linear induction motor system, rather than the single-acting pneumatic cylinder (piston) system in conventional steam catapults. The system is used on aircraft carriers to launch fixed-wing carrier-based aircraft, employing the principles of electromagnetism and Laplace force to accelerate and assist their takeoff from the shorter flight deck runways. Currently, only the United States and China have successfully developed electromagnetic catapults, which are installed on the Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers (currently only the lead ship CVN-78 being operational), the Type 003 aircraft carrier Fujian and the upcoming Type 076 amphibious assault ship Sichuan (51).

Electromagnetic catapults have several advantages over their older, superheated steam-based counterparts. Electromagnetic operation recharges via electric energy and thus much faster than the pressurization process of steam systems, and does not suffer power loss with distance (where volume expansion within the steam catapult cylinder proportionally reduces pressure), temperature changes (which directly affects pressure according to ideal gas law) and leakages (which matters in pressure vessels but is irrelevant in electromagnet systems). The electromagnetic acceleration is also more uniform (unlike steam acceleration, whose accelerative force is always highest at the very initial phase, thus creating a distinct "jolt"), therefore reducing the stress upon the airframe considerably, resulting in increased safety and endurance as well as lower maintenance costs for the aircraft. Electromagnetic catapults are configurable and can assigned varying power outputs to different sections, thus allowing them to tailor optimal acceleration to individual aircraft according to different payload weights and takeoff behaviours. Electromagnetic systems are more compact and also weigh less, have fewer linkage components and thus are expected to cost less and require less maintenance, and also require no fresh water boiling for their operation, thus reducing the need for energy-intensive desalination and sophisticated piping systems used in steam catapults, which take up significantly more space below the flight deck.

History

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Developed in the 1950s, steam catapults have a proven history of reliability due to it being a mature technology. Carriers equipped with four steam catapults have been able to use at least one of them at 99.5% of the time.[1] These have, however, several drawbacks. One group of Navy engineers wrote: "The foremost deficiency 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."[2] The steam system is massive, inefficient (4–6%),[3] 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 the first operational modern electromagnetic catapult,[4] 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 the Nimitz class and requires 25% fewer crew members.[5] 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.[6][7] A system somewhat similar to EMALS, Westinghouse's electropult, was developed in 1946 but not deployed.[8]

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,[9] instead of the alternating current catapult system that United States developed.[6][10] The system first installed on the Chinese aircraft carrier Fujian. The ship is the first aircraft carrier in the world to successfully launch a fifth-generation fighter using the electromagnetic catapult system.[11]

Systems under development

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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.[12]

China

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Rear Admiral Yin Zhuo of the Chinese Navy said in 2013 that China's Type 003 next aircraft carrier would also have an electromagnetic aircraft launch system.[13] Multiple prototypes were spotted by the media in 2012, and aircraft capable of electromagnetic launching were undergoing testing at a Chinese Navy research facility.[14]

According to a report in July 2017, construction of Type 003 was rescheduled in order to choose between a steam or electromagnetic catapult, and the latest competition results showed electromagnetic launchers would be used on Type 003.[15][16]

China's electromagnetic catapult was installed on its third aircraft carrier Fujian in 2021, becoming the only carrier besides the U.S. Navy's Gerald R. Ford-class to deploy this technology.[17][18] The electromagnetic catapult is also installed on the upcoming Type 076 amphibious assault ship, enabling the ship to launch unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAV) and possibly manned carrier-based aircraft.[19]

Fujian began sea trials in May 2024.[20] By May 2025, she had completed eight sea trials, including takeoff and landing tests with J-15T heavy multirole fighters, J-35 stealth fighters and KJ-600 AEW&C aircraft.[21] In August 2025, Chinese media released a video teasing the launch of the Shenyang J-15T variant on the Fujian with electromagnetic catapults. Though no complete sequence of the take-off and recovery was shown,[22] analysts believed the carrier and its air wing were reaching an important milestone.[23]

On 22 September 2025, the Chinese state broadcaster released multiple videos and photos — suspected to be from a sea trial earlier in the year — showing the complete catapult launch and arrestor recovery (CATOBAR) sequence for J-15T, J-35 and KJ-600 aircraft on the Fujian.[22] PLA Navy also announced that Fujian had achieved "initial full-deck operational capability", laying the foundation for the subsequent integration with the carrier aviation wing and the carrier battle group.[24] The EMALS of Fujian is powered by a Medium-Voltage Direct Current (MVDC) integrated power system—the first of its kind in the world, which is more reliable compared to the AC-based EMLAS of the Gerald R. Ford-class.[25]

The planned Type 004 aircraft carrier, a suspected nuclear-powered supercarrier[26][27] currently in construction at the Dalian Shipyard since 2024,[28] will almost certainly be also equipped with electromagnetic catapults due to the success of the system on Fujian.[29]

Russia

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Russia's United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) is developing new launch systems for warplanes based on aircraft carriers, USC President Alexei Rakhmanov told TASS on 4 July 2018.[30]

United States

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General Atomics EMALS was designed for and into the Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier.[31] 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 the upgrade-driven increase in ship weight and erosion of the center-of-gravity margin needed to maintain ship stability."[32]

India

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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.[33][34]

As per August 2024 media report, Research & Development Establishment (Engineers) has developed a scaled-down technology demonstrator, known as Electro-Magnetic Launch System (EMLS) capable of launching payloads up to 400 kilograms (880 lb) (equivalent to an unmanned aerial vehicle) over a short span of 16 to 18 metres (52 to 59 ft). The demonstrator is being further developed into a full-scale EMLS for application on future aircraft carriers.[35] Industry partners were reportedly being sought to develop the full-scale system to launch platforms weighing up to 40 tons can be handled by the system. Two crucial technologies including Pulse Power (which controls 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) were successfully developed.[36][37][38]

Ships with electromagnetic catapult

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United States

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China

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France

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Russia

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India

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Schank, John. Modernizing the U.S. Aircraft Carrier Fleet, p. 80.
  2. ^ Doyle, Michael, Douglas Samuel, Thomas Conway, and Robert Klimowski. "Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System – EMALS". Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst. 1 March. p. 1.
  3. ^ Doyle, Michael, "Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System – EMALS". p. 1.
  4. ^ PEO Carriers Public Affairs (15 May 2015). "Navy Announces Successful Test of Electromagnetic Catapult on CVN 78". US Navy.
  5. ^ "New Ford-class aircraft carrier: 25 percent more flights per day". The Christian Science Monitor. 9 November 2013. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013.
  6. ^ a b "EMALS: Learning to Launch". New England Wire. 4 May 2020.
  7. ^ Schweber, Bill (11 April 2002). "How It Works". EDN Magazine. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  8. ^ Excell, Jon (30 October 2013). "October 1946 – Westinghouse unveils the Electropult". The Engineer. Archived from the original on 7 September 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  9. ^ Gady, Franz-Stefan (6 November 2017). "China's New Aircraft Carrier to Use Advanced Jet Launch System". The Diplomat.
  10. ^ Yeo, Mike (9 November 2017). "China claims breakthrough in electromagnetic launch system for aircraft carrier". Defense News.
  11. ^ "China's J-35 fighter beats F-35C, becomes first stealth jet to be launched from an aircraft carrier using EMALS; Fujian breaks US Navy's monopoly, watch video". The Economic Times. 2025. Archived from the original on 17 October 2025. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  12. ^ Rohacs, Daniel; Voskuijl, Mark; Rohacs, Jozsef; Schoustra, Rommert-Jan (2013). "Preliminary evaluation of the environmental impact related to aircraft take-off and landings supported with ground based (MAGLEV) power". Journal of Aerospace Operations. 2 (3–4): 161–180. doi:10.3233/AOP-140040.
  13. ^ "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.
  14. ^ "简氏:中国试飞改进型歼-15 或用于测试电磁弹射器_《参考消息》官方网站". Cankaoxiaoxi.com (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 2 December 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  15. ^ "China's Third Aircraft Carrier will be First to use Steam Catapults to Launch Aircraft". yibada. 12 February 2017.
  16. ^ "China Explores Electromagnetic Carrier Launch System". AIN online. 6 July 2017.
  17. ^ Sutton, H. I. (15 April 2021). "China's New Aircraft Carrier Is In Same League as US Navy's Ford Class". Naval News. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  18. ^ 布藍 (3 August 2020). "【國產航母】003型航母進入最後組裝進程 高清航拍照曝光". 香港01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  19. ^ P. Funaiole, Matthew; Hart, Brian; Powers-Riggs, Aidan; S. Bermudez Jr., Joseph (1 August 2024). "China's Massive Next-Generation Amphibious Assault Ship Takes Shape". Center for Strategic and International Studies.
  20. ^ Zhao, Ziwen (8 May 2024). "Smooth sailing for China's Fujian aircraft carrier as it finishes first sea trial". South China Morning Post.
  21. ^ "China's advanced Fujian carrier conducts 'intensive' eighth sea trial". South China Morning Post. 25 May 2025. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  22. ^ a b Xiao, Josh (22 September 2025). "China Showcases Electromagnetic Carrier Catapult For First Time". Bloomberg News.
  23. ^ Trevithick, Joseph (1 August 2025). "China Teases First Catapult Launches From Its New Carrier Fujian". The War Zone.
  24. ^ Zhao, Lei (22 September 2025). "CNS Fujian achieves milestone with electromagnetic launch of advanced Naval aircraft". China Daily.
  25. ^ "China's J-35 Electromagnetic Launch: Not a Catch-Up to the US, But an Overtake". The China Academy. 23 September 2025. Archived from the original on 27 September 2025. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  26. ^ Roblin, Sebastien (1 May 2017). "The Real Reason the World Needs to Pay Attention to China's Growing Aircraft Carrier Fleet". The National Interest. Center for the National Interest. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  27. ^ Mizokami, Kyle (7 September 2018). "Inside China's Plan to Build the Second-Biggest Aircraft Carrier Fleet in the World". Foxtrot Alpha. Jalopnik. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  28. ^ "Amid Taiwan tensions, Beijing reveals it is building aircraft carrier No 4". South China Morning Post. 6 March 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  29. ^ "China starts building Type 004 nuclear aircraft carrier to rival U.S. Navy's Ford-class". Army Recognition Group. 2 October 2025. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
  30. ^ "Russia developing new launch catapults for aircraft carriers". TASS. 4 July 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  31. ^ "Carrier Launch System Passes Initial Tests". Archived from the original on 28 September 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
  32. ^ Schank, John. Modernizing the U.S. Aircraft Carrier Fleet: Accelerating CVN 21 Production Versus Mid-Life Refueling. Santa Monica: Rand Corporation, 2005. p. 76.
  33. ^ Shukla, Ajai (31 May 2013). "Navy eyes high-tech options for future aircraft carriers". Business Standard. Archived from the original on 15 May 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
  34. ^ "Indian Navy seeks EMALS system for second Vikrant-class aircraft carrier". Naval Technology. 30 May 2013. Archived from the original on 12 August 2013. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
  35. ^ Menon, Adithya Krishna (8 September 2025). "India Unveils 15-Year Technology and Capability Roadmap for Navy". Naval News. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  36. ^ Singh, Aarav (24 August 2024). "India's EMALS Breakthrough: DRDO and HAL Push the Boundaries of Naval Aviation Technology". PUNE.NEWS. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  37. ^ Prasad, Manish [@manishindiatv] (23 August 2024). "R&DE(E), #DRDO is developing technologies for Electromagnetic Launch System which can be used for launching of any payload..." (Tweet). Retrieved 7 November 2025 – via Twitter.
  38. ^ @indiannavy (21 February 2024). "Hon'ble Raksha Mantri inaugurated the Maritime Technical Exposition MTEX24 at #MILAN2024..." (Tweet). Retrieved 7 November 2025 – via Twitter.
  39. ^ a b Zhao, Suisheng (2024). "Is Beijing's Long Game on Taiwan about to End? Peaceful Unification, Brinksmanship, and Military Takeover". In Zhao, Suisheng (ed.). The Taiwan Question in Xi Jinping's Era: Beijing's Evolving Taiwan Policy and Taiwan's Internal and External Dynamics. London and New York: Routledge. p. 18. doi:10.4324/9781003521709. ISBN 9781032861661.
  40. ^ "视频丨满载排水量4万余吨！海军四川舰来了 舷号"51" - 新华网客户端". app.xinhuanet.com. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
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