Navy

Video: US Navy Tests Electromagnetic Catapult

The US Navy has released video footage of "dead-loads" being launched off the bow of supercarrier USS Gerald R. Ford, using an electromagnetic catapult.

The Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) is a carrier-based launch system which the US Navy hopes will allow all current and future planned carrier aircraft to fly on operations from its future carriers.

Using new technology, the system allows for increased reliability and efficiency, higher-launch energy capacity, and more accurate end-speed control, with a smooth acceleration at both high and low speeds.

By allowing linear acceleration over time, electromagnetic catapults also place less stress on the aircraft.

During the testing "dead-loads" - large, wheeled, steel vessels weighing up to 80,000 pounds, to simulate the weight of actual aircraft, were launched into the James River.

A specific test sequence was used to verify that each catapult and its components were operating correctly.