Chinese scientists have introduced Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), drawing inspiration from advancements in electric vehicle technology. This innovative system represents a significant milestone, capable of catapulting a hefty 30-ton aircraft into the skies in a mere 2.1 seconds!
Under the leadership of Associate Professor Ye Lezhi from the School of Mechanical and Energy Engineering at Beijing University of Technology, a team of dedicated scientists and engineers in Beijing embarked on the development of this revolutionary EMALS.
The hallmark of this new system lies in its innovative design – compact, simplistic, and lightweight. Unlike its predecessors, which rely on intricate power supply mechanisms, this EMALS boasts a streamlined construction, promising cost-effectiveness and operational efficiency.
EMALS was documented in a prestigious scientific journal on February 27, in a peer-reviewed paper published in the Chinese academic journal Acta Armamentarii, marking a watershed moment in naval engineering.
ALSO READ: China has Developed the World’s Most Energy-Efficient AI microchips
Initial tests have yielded promising results, demonstrating the system’s ability to launch large aircraft using a remarkably short runway of just 328 feet (100 meters). This efficiency could potentially translate into substantial savings in carrier construction and maintenance, while also offering newfound flexibility in naval operations.
“However, since its commissioning, the supercarrier’s electromagnetic catapult system has been experiencing various serious issues, including poor reliability, low efficiency, and even prolonged malfunctions,” Ye’s team wrote in the paper.
While the United States has been using EMALS, they’ve had problems with it being reliable. But this new Chinese system might solve those issues, potentially giving China an edge in naval operations.
“However, since its commissioning, the supercarrier’s electromagnetic catapult system has been experiencing various serious issues, including poor reliability, low efficiency and even prolonged malfunctions,” Ye’s team wrote in the paper. According to data released by the US Department of Defence last year, the catapult system experiences a major maintenance issue after every 614 take-offs, a stark contrast to the US Navy’s benchmark of 4,000 take-offs.
South China Morning Post
What sets this new EMALS apart is its innovative approach, drawing parallels with advancements in electric vehicle technology. Leveraging principles utilized in electric cars, the system harnesses the power of torque motors for rapid acceleration and energy conversion during braking. A robust motor drives a sizable flywheel to rapid rotation, facilitating the efficient launch of aircraft along the catapult.
ALSO READ: Japan Sucessfully Produces Cow Dung based Fuel for commercial Space Missions
According to reports from the South China Morning Post, the new EMALS boasts the remarkable capability to handle payloads twice the weight of China’s most advanced stealth aircraft, the J-20. This impressive capacity underscores the system’s versatility and suitability for a wide range of naval missions.
Moreover, the unveiling of this EMALS in a peer-reviewed paper published in the esteemed Chinese academic journal Acta Armamentarii highlights the rigorous scientific rigor and scrutiny underlying its development. The successful completion of feasibility tests, demonstrating the system’s ability to launch large fixed-wing aircraft with minimal runway requirements, underscores its practicality and operational viability.
ALSO READ: China Built a 10-Story Apartment Building in just 28 hours and 45 minutes
In contrast to existing EMALS systems, which have encountered challenges related to reliability and efficiency, the new Chinese-developed EMALS offers a promising alternative. By leveraging advancements in electric vehicle technology, the system addresses key shortcomings inherent in traditional catapult designs, paving the way for enhanced performance and reliability in naval operations.