Editing Electromagnetic catapult (section)

{{short description|Aircraft launching system}}
{{for|the system under development by the United States|Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}

[[File:EMALS.JPG|thumb|alt=Diagram of the launch system]]
An '''electromagnetic catapult''', also called '''EMALS''' ("electromagnetic aircraft launch system") after the specific US system, is a type of aircraft launching system. Currently, only the United States and China have successfully developed it, and it is installed on the [[Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier|''Gerald R. Ford''-class]] aircraft carriers and the [[Chinese aircraft carrier Fujian|Chinese aircraft carrier ''Fujian'']]. The system launches [[carrier-based aircraft]] by means of a [[aircraft catapult|catapult]] employing a [[linear induction motor]] rather than the conventional [[Steam catapult|steam piston]]. 

Electromagnetic catapults have several advantages over their steam-based counterparts. Because the rate of aircraft acceleration is more uniform (and is configurable), stress on the [[airframe]] is reduced considerably, resulting in increased safety and endurance and lower maintenance costs for the aircraft. Electromagnetic systems also weigh less, are expected to cost less and require less maintenance, and can launch both heavier and lighter aircraft than steam catapults. They also take up less space below the flight deck and require no fresh water for their operation, thus reducing the need for energy-intensive [[desalination]].