Una importante "première" aero-naval

La US Navy ha anunciado que, por primera vez y con pleno éxito, se ha ensayado (sin carga o peso) la nueva catapulta electromagnética para el lanzamiento de aviones embarcados, que ha de equipar al nuevo portaaviones CVN-78 "Gerald R. Ford" y sus sucesores de la nueva clase que ha de sustituir a los actuales y exitosos "Nimitz".

En la imagen, el "Ford" transita el James River, hacía el "muelle 3" de los astilleros Ingalls de Newport News (donde fue botado), y donde ha de terminar de ser equipado antes de sus pruebas de mar.

A continuación, una descripción del nuevo sistema de lanzamiento:

EMALS is a carrier-based launch system designed to expand the operational capability of the Navy's future carriers to include all current and future planned carrier aircraft. The recent test shots, known as "no-loads" because no aircraft or other loads were attached to the launching shuttle, successfully demonstrated the integrated catapult system. Using electromagnetic technology, the system delivers substantial improvements in system maintenance, increased reliability and efficiency, higher-launch energy capacity, and more accurate end-speed control, with a smooth acceleration at both high and low speeds. By allowing linear acceleration over time, electromagnetic catapults also place less stress on the aircraft. 

During the tests, generators within the ship produced an electric pulse, which was passed through power conditioning electronics to linear motors just below the flight deck surface. This energy allowed for the linear motors to propel the launching shuttle down the catapult track in excess of 180 knots before bringing the shuttle to a stop at the end of the track.

Coronel Von Rohaut