Aviation

End of the Steam Cat! USS Ford Launching F-18 Hornets with Electromagnetic Catapult!

by Doug "Casper" Kolonia

For someone who loves tradition this is probably a sad day. We have all seen video of the steam rising from the catapult launch of a jet from a Navy aircraft carrier. Well, no more. The USS Gerald R. Ford CVN 78 uses an electromagnetic catapult system.

Pretty cool technology! Enjoy taking a look at the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) in action!

Featured image of an F/A-18E Super Hornet preparing to launch during a test of 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. US Navy photo.

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For someone who loves tradition this is probably a sad day. We have all seen video of the steam rising from the catapult launch of a jet from a Navy aircraft carrier. Well, no more. The USS Gerald R. Ford CVN 78 uses an electromagnetic catapult system.

Pretty cool technology! Enjoy taking a look at the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) in action!

Featured image of an F/A-18E Super Hornet preparing to launch during a test of 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. US Navy photo.

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