EMALS - Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System

ELECTROMAGNETIC AIRCRAFT LAUNCH SYSTEM (EMALS)

GA and its Team have completed the Program Definition and Risk Reduction (PDRR) phase of the Navy's electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) program and have been selected to perform the System Development and Demonstration phase. The goal of the EMALS SDD phase is to develop the existing design chosen during PDRR into an integrated shipboard system that is both operationally suitable and effective, thus replacing steam catapults with an electric system that will reduce maintenance and provide flexibility and growth potential for carrier aviation throughout the 21st century.The GA Team EMALS design is a robust, highly reliable launch system that will meet or exceed all Navy performance goals. This design will provide significant reductions in installed weight, volume, and workload compared to the existing steam catapult. The design uses state-of-the-art technologies that we believe will demonstrate our system is affordable and producible.

The GA EMALS consists of four major subsystems:

Linear Induction Motor (LIM)

The LIM, developed in a configuration for the flight deck, is a compact, modular, integrated structure. The motor design will tolerate the range of conditions experienced in the flight deck environment and operating scenarios. The simple moving shuttle will interface with the aircraft in the same manner as the existing catapults.

Power Conversion Electronics

The power conversion electronics derive power from the energy store and convert this power to constant-current ac with increasing frequency and voltage to drive the shuttle along the launch stroke. Based on solid-state technology that GA uses in its line of commercial power equipment, the power electronics are packaged as compact modules in cabinets that are located below-deck in the carrier.

Shipboard Energy Store

The shipboard energy store consists of rotating energy storage machines connected to the power trains and LIM.

Control System

The EMALS achieves a peak-to-mean force ratio much lower than those of steam catapults by using a state-of-the-art control system to control the current into the LIM. High reliability is achieved by use of commercial off-the-shelf components where possible and a system architecture with inherent redundancy. Modularity is emphasized to ease installation and maintenance, important factors in life cycle costing. Program risk is also controlled by staffing with leading technologists and ship system integrators and by an extensive testing program; including shock qualification and integrated testing at full power demonstration at the end of this contract phase.

For more information contact:
Ron Kunz
Program Manager
Ron.Kunz@ga.com