EMALS No Load Testing • USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78)

EMALS No Load Testing • USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78)USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN-78) air department conducts Electromagnetic Aircraft Launching System (EMALS) no load testing on the ship’s flight deck. Ford is currently underway conducting an independent steaming exercise.

The Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) is the Navy’s launch choice for Ford-class aircraft carriers, replacing steam catapults used on current and prior generations of aircraft carriers. EMALS lowers overall operating costs and reduces maintenance over current steam catapults, and provides less ‘wear and tear’ on carrier-based aircraft. EMALS also expands the mission envelope by launching a broader range of naval aircraft with less stress on the ship and aircraft systems. Implementation of the EMALS system for the Ford-class will meet the Navy’s fixed-wing launch capability, while offering the flexibility to support future carrier air wings.

EMALS technology was fundamentally proven by the Navy in 2004 using a full-scale, half-length prototype, where more than 1,500 launches and armature maneuvers were conducted. Since 2008, component testing on the shipboard design has been underway, including full scale/full power tests of all components

Video by Chief Petty Officer RJ Stratchko, Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ruben Reed USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)

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