OT: USS Gerald R. Ford EMALS Electromagnetic Aircraft Catapult Demo
I know we've had a couple of posts on the commission and building of the USS Gerald R. Ford but now we have video of the catapult system testing (embed below).
I know less than nothing about this launch system but the video description is pretty informative and the video brings out my inner twelve year old.
Pre-commissioing Unit Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) conducts dead-load testing of the The Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) .
The Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) is a complete carrier-based launch system designed for CVN 78 and all future Gerald R. Ford-class carriers. The launching system is designed to expand the operational capability of the Navy’s future carriers. The mission and function of EMALS remains the same as traditional steam catapult; however, it employs entirely different technologies. EMALS uses stored kinetic energy and solid-state electrical power conversion. This technology permits a high degree of computer control, monitoring and automation. The system will also provide the capability for launching all current and future carrier air wing platforms – lightweight unmanned to heavy strike fighters.EMALS delivers:
• Necessary higher launch energy capacity.
• Substantial improvements in system weight, volume and maintenance.
• Increased reliability and efficiency.
• More accurate end-speed control.EMALS is funded by the CVN 21 program and will be forward fit only for U.S. Ford-class carriers, beginning with Gerald R Ford (CVN 78).
Courtesy Video | Navy Media Content Services | Date: 06.16.2015
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February 7th, 2017 at 12:30 AM ^
but I don't think ISIS or North Korea are going to very intimidted by us flinging a bunch of red trolleys at them.
maybe if it had spikes or something?
February 7th, 2017 at 12:38 AM ^
then report back on the intimidation level.
February 7th, 2017 at 8:58 AM ^
February 7th, 2017 at 12:51 AM ^
February 7th, 2017 at 2:01 AM ^
The trolleys will just be used until the F-35s are actually ready to go.
Pretty awesome that you've launched in one of those. What's the G pull on it? What did you fly?
February 7th, 2017 at 7:33 AM ^
I flew F/A-18Cs off of the USS Carl Vinson and USS Abraham Lincoln.
During the cat launch, you accelerate from 0 to 160 within 300 feet of distance which takes about 3 seconds. It's about 3-4 g's which is quite a kick in the pants in that forward axis (it really puts you back in your seat). I really haven't experienced anything else that compares to the sudden acceleration of a cat shot.
February 7th, 2017 at 9:00 AM ^
I was bummed when by brother-in-law chose helicopters over fixed wing when in flight school. As cool as Seahawks are, launching off a carrier must be amazing. I know I would never get near any of those in any case but at least I could live vicariously through him.
February 7th, 2017 at 10:17 AM ^
My brother flies blackhawks but he hasn't taken me for a ride yet.
I had a Bro in law that flew C5s so the capapaults were never an option for me. However, it was a lot of fun making the simulator at dover roll.
February 7th, 2017 at 12:22 PM ^
If flying isn't your thing, figure out how to drive an F1 car where you push close to 5 G's during braking.
February 7th, 2017 at 1:34 PM ^
....it's as close as a I will get, but close enough for me
February 7th, 2017 at 7:38 AM ^
2500 yards astern of the bird farm in lifeguard station for countless hours, I am sure glad they tested with those trolleys as well, or we would have been a lot busier picking you brown shoes out of the water brother.
Maybe New News gave them time to watch, but it's a testament to the people who build our steel homes at sea, that so many took the time to watch that exercise. It's nice to see what you build works, and it's nice to know that those that build it care that it works.
In sadder news, we no longer have a USS Enterprise in our fleet. I am lookin forward to CVN-80. (We need a new Yorktown too.)
February 7th, 2017 at 9:15 AM ^
Thank you for your service navy wolverine! I am in awe of your post.
February 7th, 2017 at 10:41 AM ^
That's awesome, thank you for you service Navy Wolverine!
February 7th, 2017 at 11:04 AM ^
Thank you for your service. The F18 has been my favorite fighter since I was a kid. That must have been very memorable.
February 7th, 2017 at 6:40 PM ^
February 7th, 2017 at 7:12 PM ^
Tasing a cat and then launching it from a three-man slingshot to celebrate beating Illinois is not an "electromagnetic catapult system."
February 7th, 2017 at 7:18 AM ^
I grieve that you're being negged and lectured for this comment. Please don't let this force you into the "/s" camp - many artists (Van Gogh, Kafka, etc.) went unappreciated during their lifetimes, but still achieved great fame.
February 7th, 2017 at 8:22 AM ^
I expected a certain amount of knee-jerk butt-hurt from some.
I'm going to give the board credit that most negs are just because it was a pretty lame joke.
I could reply with anecdotes from my brother's 25 yrs as a naval pilot on different carriers, but that would be classless.
February 7th, 2017 at 8:36 AM ^
February 7th, 2017 at 9:07 AM ^
February 7th, 2017 at 9:59 PM ^
February 7th, 2017 at 9:07 AM ^
The idea of a 13 billion dollar ship sailiong around the globe flinging red trolley's at it's enemies is classless?
It's hilarious! With a little Terry Gilliam animation, I'd say it's downright Python-esque
The humorless fuck line starts over there.
February 7th, 2017 at 1:58 PM ^
February 7th, 2017 at 3:32 PM ^
You hit the nail on the head.
And please Jabberwock, regale us with your brother's 25 years of anecdotes. I'm sure he still loves you riding his coattails after all these years.
February 7th, 2017 at 10:11 PM ^
February 8th, 2017 at 12:00 AM ^
I'm the one who said it was Python-esque.
I make plenty of jokes that get negs, & I'll make plenty more.
but I think I nailed you pretty spot-on in the over-reaction dept.
You read my first sentence about "wasted tax dollars" (but missed the grumy old Grandpa Simpson voice btw) and then you stopped reading & thought "OMG he's insulting the miltitary."
No, it was just a simple joke about the ineffectiveness of flinging red trolleys but I guessed there'd be some knee-jerkers who might not make it past the first line. There often is if I'm not overly careful with my wording.
You've made it very clear you didn't & took it personally when called out in my comment to EM. Did you notice I was talking to EM & not you? I wasn't even talking to Redwhite&GoBlue; I appreciated his video (even though I've seen hundreds) & wouldn't think of negging him.
But you've apparently let a couple internet message board posts get you sort-of fixated & emotional about this. I hope you find healing.
February 7th, 2017 at 9:01 AM ^
February 7th, 2017 at 8:55 AM ^
February 7th, 2017 at 9:14 AM ^
February 7th, 2017 at 10:10 AM ^
don't mention the "stealth red" paint. It's a tough crowd here today.
February 7th, 2017 at 10:44 AM ^
I'm pretty sure that they're just practicing for upcoming anti-piracy measures on the red sea and that's why they're using red trolleys.
They plan to fire them at Somali pirates.
February 7th, 2017 at 11:02 AM ^
answer me this.
If they use the red trolleys in the red sea, how will they ever find them again to reload?
You obviously haven't thought this through.
February 7th, 2017 at 11:14 AM ^
It's all ball bearings nowadays. Now you prepare that Fetzer valve with some 3-in-1 oil and some gauze pads. And I'm gonna need 'bout ten quarts of anti-freeze, preferably Prestone. No, no make that Quaker State.
February 7th, 2017 at 12:47 PM ^
Please!
February 7th, 2017 at 11:52 PM ^
made me think of Toonces the Driving Cat.
February 7th, 2017 at 12:00 AM ^
February 7th, 2017 at 12:16 AM ^
February 7th, 2017 at 1:17 AM ^
I beleave the Steam catipults were already were more limited by the stresses the airframes, and the squishy pilot inside, adding additional G forces with a "ski jump" would prolly collapse the landingear at best of most modern carrier planes. the bennifit the these new catipults are more precise power, so it can provide lower power to drones and the such, while also being able to launch heavier planes.
February 7th, 2017 at 4:25 AM ^
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/how-the-royal-navy-changed-u…
The angled flight deck was a huge leap forward allowing the jet age to come to the carrier.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_aircraft_carrier
February 7th, 2017 at 7:08 AM ^
February 7th, 2017 at 11:25 AM ^
The Russian carrier that was just in the Med lost a bunch of planes (so I heard), because they ran out of fuel...the logistics and operations running a carrier air wing is still a tad beyond the capabilities of the Russians. The planes were unable to carry enough fuel and ordnance to be useful, apparently, and some went into the drink because they couldn't refuel.
February 7th, 2017 at 12:01 AM ^
February 7th, 2017 at 1:34 AM ^
February 7th, 2017 at 12:26 AM ^
February 7th, 2017 at 12:42 AM ^
I would have never even thought about the water rationing aspect on the older ships. I just figured they drew in sea water to build steam for the catapult.
More importantly, thank you for your service to our nation!
February 7th, 2017 at 8:42 AM ^
You can't use sea water to build steam, or for anything else - it's filthy stuff and would leave salt deposits everywhere. And drinking it will kill you. It must be desalienated and purified before its used for anything.
I don't know about the targets that float around on top of the water, but my fast attack submarine made 8000 gallons of water/day - when the stil worked. And that was back in the 80's, so I'm sure it's better now. We never rationed water, nor did the Sonar Techs (me) take 'Navy showers'. A 'Navy shower' is the domain of the uninformed.
February 7th, 2017 at 10:34 AM ^
Having driven those targets around the ocean myself, I can say that Navy showers are absolutely real things and not at all the domain of the uninformed. Especially on steam-powered ships with boilers. Especially especially when said steam-powered ship suffers cascading engineering casualties that leaves it limping back to port at 8% fresh water in the tanks praying that that water lasts another 36 hours. Actually, the showers are secured at that point and you're eating hotdogs off paper plates for three days straight, but regardless.
February 7th, 2017 at 1:13 AM ^
Was on ship in 2011 and they still have "navy showers" and water rationing.