Aircraft Carriers II (Closed to posting)

Scratch said:

EMALS has launched it's first real aircraft. A F/A-18E was launched by the cat two days ago at a test facility. The next day, more launches took place. Next year tests will continue with different types of aircraft.
Seems that program is actually runinng smoothly, an important part of the new carriers for the USN.

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

Click to expand...

Outstanding news! This means a lot...and not just for aircraft launches. it says a lot about the new reactors, the amount of power they produce, the new electrical system, etc., etc.

The Ford Class carriers are going to be outstanding. I look forward to seeing them come on line...the construction on the first is moving along. I will have some new construction pics on my site soon and will post them here as well.

USN finally launches F-18 using EMALS

LAKEHURST, N.J. (Dec. 16, 2010) The Navy launches the first aircraft, an F/A-18E Super Hornet, from the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) at Naval Air Systems Command, Lakehurst, N.J. The Navy has used steam catapults for more than 50 years to launch aircraft from aircraft carriers. EMALS is a complete carrier-based launch system designed for Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and future Ford-class carriers. Newer, heavier and faster aircraft will result in launch energy requirements approaching the limits of the steam catapult, increasing maintenance on the system. The system's technology allows for a smooth acceleration at both high and low speeds, increasing the carrier's ability to launch aircraft in support of the warfighter. EMALS will provide the capability for launching all current and future carrier air wing platforms from lightweight unmanned aerial vehicles to heavy strike fighters. The first ship components are on schedule to be delivered to CVN 78 in 2011. (U.S. Navy video/Released)

Re: USN finally launches F-18 using EMALS

Thanks for posting..but I'm going to move this post to the carrier thread.

I honestly did not think the USN could make this work in such short order. Look for EMAL catapults to be in service on CVN-78 class CVNs.

Re: USN finally launches F-18 using EMALS

kwaigonegin said:

LAKEHURST, N.J. (Dec. 16, 2010) The Navy launches the first aircraft, an F/A-18E Super Hornet, from the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) at Naval Air Systems Command, Lakehurst, N.J. The Navy has used steam catapults for more than 50 years to launch aircraft from aircraft carriers. EMALS is a complete carrier-based launch system designed for Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and future Ford-class carriers. Newer, heavier and faster aircraft will result in launch energy requirements approaching the limits of the steam catapult, increasing maintenance on the system. The system's technology allows for a smooth acceleration at both high and low speeds, increasing the carrier's ability to launch aircraft in support of the warfighter. EMALS will provide the capability for launching all current and future carrier air wing platforms from lightweight unmanned aerial vehicles to heavy strike fighters. The first ship components are on schedule to be delivered to CVN 78 in 2011. (U.S. Navy video/Released)

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

Click to expand...

Thanks for the link to the video. Great and eventful stuff. The CVN-78 Class is going to be awesome and cut a lot of new ground in carrier operations.

I agree Jeff.. I just wish CVN-78 had a different name..maybe Coral Sea,Enterprise or Tonkin Gulf or better still Yankee Station.

The news on EMALS is great, as it should hopefully mean that HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales won't need costly steam boilers to power the catapults they'll need.

I have a question. All CVN have two nuclear reactors, except USS Enterprise with eight (or am I wrong?). Why? If a ship is fully capable with one failed reactor it would be at an insurance premium. Otherwise it doubles the risk of trouble with the nuclear part of the propulsion plant. Would it not be cheaper and safer to provide a single larger reactor providing electrical power to the propusion motors and ship services and instal a gas turbine plant to provide get home power at 10 or 12 kts? The old argument, that the ship must get away, if still afloat, after combat damage would so be answered.

I have a question. All CVN have two nuclear reactors, except USS Enterprise with eight (or am I wrong?).

Click to expand...

Correct.

Why?

Click to expand...

Well that was back in 1961 when the Big E keel was commissioned and the keel was laid in 1957 I think. So the technology at that time probably had something to do with it. That's my guess..but..

I read this on line. I do not like the source.

Her eight-reactor propulsion design was rather conservative, with each A2W reactor taking the place of one of the conventional boilers in earlier designs.

Click to expand...

We have a member named Ambivalent.. he has some knowledge of nuclear propulsion. Perhaps he can give an answer to your whole question..

[video=youtube;8yz8tgtL8q8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yz8tgtL8q8&feature=related[/video]

This is a test..

Here's a better one..French Navy Rafales on the Big E

[video=youtube;9-pzvvPZ1Q8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-pzvvPZ1Q8[/video]