Engineering:Electromagnetic catapult

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Short description: Aircraft launching system
For the specific system used by the United States, see Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System.
Diagram of the launch system

An electromagnetic catapult 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 typically used on aircraft carriers to launch fixed-wing carrier-based aircraft, employing the principles of electromagnetism and Lorentz force (similar to the propulsion used on maglev trains) to accelerate and assist their horizontal 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).

Advantages

Electromagnetic catapults have several advantages over their older, superheated steam-based counterparts.

  • Electromagnetic catapults are more compact and also weigh less than steam catapults, the latter requiring extensive and sophisticated piping, pump, pressure container, boiler and energy-intensive desalination (for fresh water boiling) systems below the flight deck, thus freeing up spaces for the hangar and other equipment system installations.
  • Electromagnetic operation recharges via electric energy and thus much faster than the pressurization process of steam systems, where steam takes time to boil and accumulate.
  • Electromagnetic catapults are configurable and can assign varying power outputs to different sections of the catapult rail, thus allowing them to tailor optimal acceleration to individual aircraft according to different payload weights and takeoff behaviours.
  • Electromagnetic catapult does not suffer power loss with distance (where volume expansion within the steam catapult cylinder proportionally decreases pressure), temperature changes (which directly affects pressure according to ideal gas law) and fluid leakages (which matters a lot in pressure vessels, but is non-applicable in electromagnet systems).
  • Electromagnetic acceleration is more uniform, unlike steam acceleration, whose accelerative force is always highest at the very initial phase thus creating a distinct "jolt" at the start. This therefore considerably reduces the impulsive stress upon the airframe, resulting in increased safety and endurance as well as lower maintenance costs for the aircraft.
  • Electromagnetic systems have a more minimalistic construct with fewer linkage components, and thus are expected to cost less to build and require less maintenance.

History

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 Script error: The function "sclass" does not exist. steam-powered catapults to launch heavy aircraft, but not aircraft as light as many unmanned aerial vehicles.

In the United States, General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) developed the world's 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 and currently fitting-out USS John F. Kennedy, the lead ship and second ship of the new Gerald R. Ford-class supercarriers, replacing the traditional steam catapults on the retiring Nimitz class. The innovations on EMALS eliminate the traditional system requirements to desalinate, boil, convey 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]

In China, the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation and the Chinese Academy of Engineering have jointly developed an electromagnetic catapult system in the 2000s for the People's Liberation Army Navy's aircraft carrier programme, but with a different technical approach. The Chinese adopted a medium-voltage, direct current motor-supercapacitor propulsion system,[9] instead of the alternating current motor-flywheel catapult system that United States developed for the Gerard R. Ford class.[6][10] The system first installed on the aircraft carrier Fujian, and video footages of catapult launch tests of the J-15T, J-35 and KJ-600 aircraft during its seventh sea trial was officially released on September 22, 2025, making the ship the first aircraft carrier in the world confirmed to launch fifth-generation fighters successfully using an electromagnetic catapult system.[11]

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]

Operational systems

China

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 EMALS 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]

United States

General Atomics EMALS was designed for and into the Script error: The function "sclass" does not exist..[30] A proposal to retrofit it into Script error: The function "sclass" does not exist. 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."[31]

On 28 July 2017, Lt. Cmdr. Jamie "Coach" Struck of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23 (VX-23) performed the first EMALS catapult launch from USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) in an F/A-18F Super Hornet.[32]

By April 2021, 8,000 launch/recovery cycles had been performed with the EMALS and the AAG arrestor system aboard USS Gerald R. Ford. The USN also stated that the great majority of these cycles had occurred in the prior 18 months and that 351 pilots had completed training on the EMALS/AAG.[33]

The Ford was certified for flight deck operations using the EMALS in 2022.[34][35]

Systems under development

India

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.[36][37]

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.[38] 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.[39][40][41]

Russia

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.[42]

Ships with electromagnetic catapult

United States

  • Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier (in service)[43]

China

  • Chinese aircraft carrier Fujian[43] (in service)
  • Type 076 landing helicopter dock[44] (launched)
  • Type 004 aircraft carrier (under construction)

France

  • Future French aircraft carrier (planned)

Russia

  • Project 23000 (proposed)

India

  • INS Vishal (proposed)

See also

References

  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". https://www.navsea.navy.mil/Media/News/SavedNewsModule/Article/588870/navy-announces-successful-test-of-electromagnetic-catapult-on-cvn-78/. 
  5. ↑ "New Ford-class aircraft carrier: 25 percent more flights per day". The Christian Science Monitor. 9 November 2013. https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2013/1109/USS-Gerald-R.-Ford-New-aircraft-carrier-with-25-percent-more-flights-per-day. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "EMALS: Learning to Launch". 4 May 2020. https://www.newenglandwire.com/application/emals-learning-to-launch/. 
  7. ↑ Schweber, Bill (11 April 2002). "How It Works". EDN Magazine. http://www.edn.com/Pdf/ViewPdf?contentItemId=4341471. 
  8. ↑ Excell, Jon (30 October 2013). "October 1946 – Westinghouse unveils the Electropult". The Engineer. http://www.theengineer.co.uk/archive/october-1946-westinghouse-unveils-the-electropult/1017387.article. 
  9. ↑ Gady, Franz-Stefan (6 November 2017). "China's New Aircraft Carrier to Use Advanced Jet Launch System". https://thediplomat.com/2017/11/chinas-new-aircraft-carrier-to-use-advanced-jet-launch-system/. 
  10. ↑ Yeo, Mike (9 November 2017). "China claims breakthrough in electromagnetic launch system for aircraft carrier". https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2017/11/09/tech-breakthrough-chinas-next-carrier-could-feature-electromagnetic-launch-system/. 
  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. https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/us/chinas-j-35-fighter-beats-f-35c-becomes-first-stealth-jet-to-be-launched-from-an-aircraft-carrier-using-emals-fujian-breaks-us-navys-monopoly-watch-video/articleshow/124060309.cms. 
  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. http://content.iospress.com/articles/journal-of-aerospace-operations/aop040. 
  13. ↑ "Chinese aircraft carrier should narrow the gap with its U.S. counterpart". People's Daily. 18 October 2013. http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90786/8429544.html. 
  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" (in zh). http://www.cankaoxiaoxi.com/mil/20160923/1314163.shtml. 
  15. ↑ "China's Third Aircraft Carrier will be First to use Steam Catapults to Launch Aircraft". 12 February 2017. http://en.yibada.com/articles/193745/20170212/china-s-third-aircraft-carrier-will-first-use-steam-catapults.htm. 
  16. ↑ "China Explores Electromagnetic Carrier Launch System". 6 July 2017. http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2017-07-06/china-explores-electromagnetic-carrier-launch-system. 
  17. ↑ Sutton, H. I. (2021-04-15). "China's New Aircraft Carrier Is In Same League as US Navy's Ford Class" (in en-US). https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/04/chinas-new-aircraft-carrier-is-in-same-league-as-us-navys-ford-class/. 
  18. ↑ 布藍 (2020-08-03). "【國產航母】003型航母進入最後組裝進程 高清航拍照曝光" (in zh-HK). https://www.hk01.com/即時中國/506044/國產航母-003型航母進入最後組裝進程-高清航拍照曝光. 
  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". https://www.csis.org/analysis/chinas-massive-next-generation-amphibious-assault-ship-takes-shape. 
  20. ↑ Zhao, Ziwen (8 May 2024). "Smooth sailing for China's Fujian aircraft carrier as it finishes first sea trial". https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3261913/smooth-sailing-chinas-fujian-aircraft-carrier-it-finishes-first-sea-trial. 
  21. ↑ "China’s advanced Fujian carrier conducts ‘intensive’ eighth sea trial" (in en). 2025-05-25. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3311729/chinas-advanced-fujian-carrier-conducts-intensive-eighth-sea-trial. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Xiao, Josh (22 September 2025). "China Showcases Electromagnetic Carrier Catapult For First Time". https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-22/china-showcases-electromagnetic-carrier-catapult-for-first-time. 
  23. ↑ Trevithick, Joseph (1 August 2025). "China Teases First Catapult Launches From Its New Carrier Fujian". https://www.twz.com/sea/china-teases-first-catapult-launches-from-its-new-carrier-fujian. 
  24. ↑ Zhao, Lei (22 September 2025). "CNS Fujian achieves milestone with electromagnetic launch of advanced Naval aircraft". https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202509/22/WS68d11b43a3108622abca230b_1.html. 
  25. ↑ "China’s J-35 Electromagnetic Launch: Not a Catch-Up to the US, But an Overtake". 23 September 2025. https://thechinaacademy.org/chinas-j-35-electromagnetic-launch-not-just-a-catch-up-to-the-us-but-a-leap-forward/. 
  26. ↑ Roblin, Sebastien (1 May 2017). "The Real Reason the World Needs to Pay Attention to China's Growing Aircraft Carrier Fleet". Center for the National Interest. http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/the-real-reason-the-world-needs-pay-attention-chinas-growing-20406. 
  27. ↑ Mizokami, Kyle (7 September 2018). "Inside China's Plan to Build the Second-Biggest Aircraft Carrier Fleet in the World". Jalopnik. https://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/inside-china-s-plan-to-build-the-second-biggest-aircraf-1828730033. 
  28. ↑ "Amid Taiwan tensions, Beijing reveals it is building aircraft carrier No 4" (in en). 2024-03-06. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3254415/chinas-aircraft-carrier-no-4-track-no-technical-bottleneck-admiral-reveals-first-official. 
  29. ↑ "China starts building Type 004 nuclear aircraft carrier to rival U.S. Navy’s Ford-class". Army Recognition Group. 2025-10-02. https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/navy-news/2025/china-starts-building-type-004-nuclear-carrier-to-rival-u-s-navys-ford-class. 
  30. ↑ "Carrier Launch System Passes Initial Tests". http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=dti&id=news%2Fdti%2F2010%2F06%2F01%2FDT_06_01_2010_p42-228803.xml. 
  31. ↑ Schank, John. Modernizing the U.S. Aircraft Carrier Fleet: Accelerating CVN 21 Production Versus Mid-Life Refueling. Santa Monica: Rand Corporation, 2005. p. 76.
  32. ↑ "Local man pilots first plane to land on U.S.S. Gerald Ford". Fox 8 Cleveland. 29 July 2017. http://fox8.com/2017/07/29/local-man-pilots-first-plane-to-land-on-u-s-s-gerald-ford/. 
  33. ↑ "EMALS, AAG hit 8,000 aircraft recoveries, launches before completion of Ford Post Delivery Test & Trials". https://www.navair.navy.mil/news/EMALS-AAG-hit-8000-aircraft-recoveries-launches-completion-Ford-Post-Delivery-Test-Trials/Mon. 
  34. ↑ Chambers, Kirstie (24 September 2025). "China's aircraft launch using electromagnetic catapult: What it means for aircraft carriers". https://www.forcesnews.com/china/chinas-aircraft-launch-using-electromagnetic-catapult-what-it-means-aircraft-carriers. 
  35. ↑ Gan, Nectar; Lendon, Brad (23 September 2025). "China’s latest aircraft carrier showcases new fighter jet launch system. Only the US has the same tech". https://edition.cnn.com/2025/09/23/china/china-aircraft-carrier-launch-system-intl-hnk-ml. 
  36. ↑ Shukla, Ajai (31 May 2013). "Navy eyes high-tech options for future aircraft carriers". Business Standard. http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/navy-eyes-high-tech-options-for-future-aircraft-carriers-113052900923_1.html. 
  37. ↑ "Indian Navy seeks EMALS system for second Vikrant-class aircraft carrier". Naval Technology. 30 May 2013. http://www.naval-technology.com/news/newsindian-navy-seeks-emals-system-second-vikrant-class-aircraft-carrier. 
  38. ↑ Menon, Adithya Krishna (2025-09-08). "India Unveils 15-Year Technology and Capability Roadmap for Navy" (in en-US). https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/09/india-unveils-15-year-technology-and-capability-roadmap-for-navy/. 
  39. ↑ Singh, Aarav (2024-08-24). "India’s EMALS Breakthrough: DRDO and HAL Push the Boundaries of Naval Aviation Technology" (in en). https://pune.news/defence/indias-emals-breakthrough-drdo-and-hal-push-the-boundaries-of-naval-aviation-technology-218579/. 
  40. ↑ Prasad, Manish [@manishindiatv] (2024-08-23). "R&DE(E), #DRDO is developing technologies for Electromagnetic Launch System which can be used for launching of any payload...". https://twitter.com/manishindiatv/status/1826828337106264123. 
  41. ↑ @indiannavy (2024-02-21). "Hon'ble Raksha Mantri inaugurated the Maritime Technical Exposition MTEX24 at #MILAN2024...". https://twitter.com/indiannavy/status/1760307677702521197. 
  42. ↑ "Russia developing new launch catapults for aircraft carriers". TASS. 4 July 2018. http://tass.com/defense/1011912. 
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 Zhao, Suisheng (2024). "Is Beijing's Long Game on Taiwan about to End? Peaceful Unification, Brinksmanship, and Military Takeover". in Zhao, Suisheng. 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. pp. 18. doi:10.4324/9781003521709. ISBN 9781032861661. 
  44. ↑ "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". https://app.xinhuanet.com/news/article.html?articleId=f646901fd796a16d1e8c3172e16c2c4c. 



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