F-35C First Landing & Launch on JFK – A First for Ford-Class Carriers

[Hamartia Antidote]

but..but..but...EMALS and the new wire catch system doesn't work for F-35s on the new Ford class carriers...PDF told me so!!!


Landing...but the F-35 tail hook wasn't supposed to work


Taking off...but that's impossible

 

[mnztr]

Took them a while, technically, EMALS should be able to perfectly replicate the loads of a steam cat and even reduce peak loads. I guess we can assume this is a significantly updated EMALS spec. Probably hardware and software changes.

Has anyone found any info on the Chinese approach to EMALS? They just launched a HUGE drone from their LHD. A while back I heard their carrier systems are DC from the Fujian on.

 

[SolarWarden]

Took them a while, technically, EMALS should be able to perfectly replicate the loads of a steam cat and even reduce peak loads. I guess we can assume this is a significantly updated EMALS spec. Probably hardware and software changes.

Has anyone found any info on the Chinese approach to EMALS? They just launched a HUGE drone from their LHD. A while back I heard their carrier systems are DC from the Fujian on.

Chinese don't post/disclose problems with their weapons development unless it is obvious which convinces the wumao army that chinese emals are the best because no issue has ever occurred.

 

[mnztr]

Chinese don't post/disclose problems with their weapons development unless it is obvious which convinces the wumao army that chinese emals are the best because no issue has ever occurred.

That sorta makes sense TBH. But I did find this:

Technology: The Fujian is equipped with three electromagnetic catapults powered by a Medium-Voltage Direct Current (MVDC) integrated power system—making it the first carrier in the world to use MVDC-based EMALS rather than alternating current (AC).

In my admittedly limited understanding of linear motors, DC might afford better control then AC.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

Took them a while, technically, EMALS should be able to perfectly replicate the loads of a steam cat and even reduce peak loads. I guess we can assume this is a significantly updated EMALS spec. Probably hardware and software changes.

Has anyone found any info on the Chinese approach to EMALS? They just launched a HUGE drone from their LHD. A while back I heard their carrier systems are DC from the Fujian on.

The only reason is because the deck strength of the USS Ford was finalized before the final specs of the F35C. It was then later determined the heat of the F-35Cs engine is so intense that it can actually damage the USS Ford's deck...it had nothing to do with the EMALS being incompatible or not working.