Breaking news
General Atomics showcased its Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System at Defexpo 2014.
| 2014
Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) will first be fitted onboard the USS Gerald R. Ford Picture: General Atomics |
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Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) is a complete launch
system designed to replace the existing steam catapult currently being
used on aircraft carriers. The
USS Gerald R. Ford, the first ship of the CVN-21 Future Aircraft
Carrier Class, will use electromagnetic launch systems.
EMALS provides: Reduced Manning Workload Reduced Thermal Signature Increased Launch Availability Reduced Topside Weight Reduced Installed Volume Launch capability for unmanned aerial vehicles |
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DCNS Evolved Aircraft Carrier (DEAC) model at DEFEXPO 2014 Picture: Navyrecognition |
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Potential
Markets
During Defexpo 2014, a General Atomics representative explained to Navy Recognition that EMALS would have been fitted on the Royal Navy's Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier, should UK have retained the CATOBAR (catapult) configuration. The representative explained to us that export markets for EMALS consisted in current and future CATOBAR aircraft carrier users including Brazil, India (the reason for the company's presence at Defexpo) and potentially France in the future. We also learned that General Atomics and DCNS representatives met during Defexpo to discuss possibilities of fitting EMALS onboard DCNS future aircraft carrier designs. Finally, we were told that General Atomics would attend Euronaval 2014, the leading naval defense exhibition which will be held in October 2014 in Paris. |
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