Steam Catapults Versus Electromagnets: How Ways of Launching Jets Compare
Summary
President Donald Trump has ordered the U.S. Navy to stop using the new Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch Systems (EMALS) on the fourth Ford-class aircraft carrier, returning instead to the older steam catapult technology. This decision, along with scrapping advanced weapon elevators in favor of hydraulic ones, may increase costs and cause delays.Key Facts
- The fourth Ford-class carrier, USS Doris Miller, will use steam catapults instead of EMALS.
- EMALS use magnetic pulses to launch jets, while steam catapults use high-pressure steam pistons.
- President Trump criticized EMALS as complicated and less powerful than steam catapults.
- The Navy and manufacturers say EMALS are more reliable, efficient, and require less crew.
- Changing back to steam catapults could add costs and delay the USS Doris Miller, expected by 2034.
- The Navy will also replace advanced weapons elevators with hydraulic elevators on Ford-class carriers.
- U.S. shipyards are struggling with delays and capacity issues, affecting shipbuilding schedules.
- China’s newest carrier uses EMALS, while France’s current carrier uses steam catapults but plans to adopt EMALS.
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