Testing mass driver EMALS on the aircraft carrier "Gerald R. Ford"

On YouTube-channel of the US Navy there was a video тестирования Electromagnetic catapult Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), which in a few days was carried out on the aircraft carrier "Gerald R. Ford." As a "shell" for the shot used a specially designed test truck weighing 7,900 pounds (about 3,500 kg). And the same will be possible to hold a shot and to "shell", weighing up to 80,000 pounds (about 36,000 kg), far exceeding the weight of jet aircraft, the launch of which is usually carried out from the deck of an aircraft carrier.

System electromagnetic launcher (mass driver) based on the acceleration of an object moving along the rail by the magnetic field. The speed of the object at the end of the assembly of the guide depends on the power of magnets used and its length. The US military began developing the program Velocitas Eradico to create mass driver in 2005 and until then for a shot advantageously used shells normal weight.

Military испытания to "Gerald R. Ford" should last about 20 days. A team of engineers uses two platforms to guide for the test and 15 trucks-shells of different weights. The first launches were unsuccessful, but these were found to be successful. For example, the cart 15 weighing 000 pounds (about 6800 kg) was accelerated to a speed of 140 knots (almost 260 km / h). Trolley smaller weighing 7900 pounds (it can be seen on the video) flying at 180 knots (or 333 km / h).

It is expected that mass driver to be used on an aircraft carrier instead of the traditional steam catapults. The latter have such a significant disadvantage as the need to store a large amount of water on the ship, which also can not be taken because of the board due to the aggressive chemical properties of seawater. Military trials on an aircraft carrier will be conducted until the end of 2017.

UPD xiWera

Source: geektimes.ru/post/252194/