Ramon Lopez/WASHINGTON DC
The US Navy (USN) intends to award competing contracts for development of an electro-magnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) for the planned CVX next-generation aircraft carrier.
The first CVX, which would be capable of conventional take-off-and-landing (CTOL) operations, would be bought in the fiscal year 2006. The system is planned to enter the fleet in FY2013 onboard the replacement for the USS Enterprise (CVN-65).
The USN has been studying CVX designs for several years, including studies of possible air wing sizes and required aircraft types.
A CVX analysis to be completed this year will address detailed design tradeoffs, including propulsion alternatives. The USN says the CVX will include an integrated island design, a new propulsion plant, EMALS and other improvements.
Kaman Electromagnetics has been working under USN contract since the mid-1980s to develop EMALS as a replacement for the steam catapult. Kaman's concept uses linear motor technology to propel objects with electromotive forces. Driven by a gas-turbine engine, it would be able to launch an aircraft every 45 seconds.
The Naval Air Warfare Centre Aircraft Division, New Jersey, plans to award dual contracts for the aircraft launch programme definition and risk reduction. One contractor will be selected to undertake engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) and EMALS production.
The USN will require the contractors to demonstrate prototypes by the end of Fiscal Year 2003. The winning design will undergo extensive land based operational testing during EMD which runs between FY2004 and FY2009. A production contract award is planned in FY2008 with deliveries beginning in FY2010.
The USN says the system must be able to launch current and future naval fixed wing aircraft, unmanned combat air vehicles and smaller unmanned air vehicles.
It also wants to trim the number of catapult operators by one-third while reducing the life cycle cost by 20%. And officials envision a 20% improvement in operational availability and up to a 50% reduction in installed size and weight when compared to current steam catapults.
The system is also being studied for possible use on the UK's future aircraft carrier.
Source: Flight International
