I was generally under the impression that while a steam catapult could be integrated with a ski jump on a carrier, the technical difficulty and cost made it unattractive, at least concepts that actively had a curved catapult track embedded in the ski jump hump itself. With the recent successful launch of a Hornet with EMALS, the wheels in my mind started turning again.
From what I understand, EMALS is essentially a linear motor with some guide rails. As such it doesn't suffer from the curved track limitations of a steam catapult. As far as linear motors are concerned, examples of curved tracks do exist, such as roller coaster rides and subways, though understandably the power and speed involved are not necessarily comparable.
If such there are no geometry constraints then, why not integrate a ski jump with EMALS? Is there an undefined issue regarding nose gear forces that makes this unattractive?
Regarding a retrofit, on existing flat deck ships such as helicopter carriers and existing short decked carriers, would a drop in ski jump module, with associated electrical gear housed in the hump, be attractive? I would imagine a lot of vessels would have insufficient power available, so you would also end up fitting the hump with one or more marine gas turbines (or perhaps a bank of microturbines) to provide power.
From what I understand, EMALS is essentially a linear motor with some guide rails. As such it doesn't suffer from the curved track limitations of a steam catapult. As far as linear motors are concerned, examples of curved tracks do exist, such as roller coaster rides and subways, though understandably the power and speed involved are not necessarily comparable.
If such there are no geometry constraints then, why not integrate a ski jump with EMALS? Is there an undefined issue regarding nose gear forces that makes this unattractive?
Regarding a retrofit, on existing flat deck ships such as helicopter carriers and existing short decked carriers, would a drop in ski jump module, with associated electrical gear housed in the hump, be attractive? I would imagine a lot of vessels would have insufficient power available, so you would also end up fitting the hump with one or more marine gas turbines (or perhaps a bank of microturbines) to provide power.