Electromagnetic Aircraft Launching System: Do the Benefits Outweigh the Costs?

The Electromagnetic Aircraft Launching System EMALS is an advanced system that incorporates technology that has been around for many years in other application such as magnetic levitation MAGLEV trains. State-of-the-art systems make up the components of the system. There are several benefits the EMALS has over the current steam system. The EMALS brings significant reductions in weight, space and manpower requirements. Stress put on aircraft airframes are also reduced. However, EMALS has come under some heavy scrutiny and intense criticisms due to cost overruns and schedule delays. The U.S. Navy has put large amounts of money into the development of the EMALS. It is the launching system of the future.