Navy to boast US’ modern launch system

[CONNAN]

The Indian Navy will soon equip its domestically-built aircraft carriers with US-based General Atomics’ (GA) new-generation catapult Electro-Magnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) — a quantum leap for the navy that currently relies on Russian ski-launch technology.

Talking to FE, Vivek Lall, CEO, US and International Strategic Development General Atomics Electromagnetics, said: “After concurrence from the US navy and permission to export, the system could provide key benefits to advance the Indian Navy.”

Lall, who visited India as part of the CEO delegation that accompanied US President Barack Obama last week, added: “The system’s flexible architecture allows for integration into a range of platforms with differing catapult configurations, enabling the launch and recovery of a wide variety of aircraft, including unmanned aerial vehicles, to enhance situational awareness. Our integrated system requires fewer personnel to operate and maintain, and provides a more fuel efficient alternative to legacy catapult systems.”

The US government’s permission to export the system to India probably came after PM Narendra Modi and Obama said they would explore ways of sharing aircraft carrier technology, said Lall, whose company has pioneered the technique.

While responding to a question, the CEO acknowledged that a significant amount of progress has been made, especially in the defence sector.

“There is potential for GA to establish a joint venture with an Indian counterpart and for this we have been in talks with several companies.”

Modi and Obama called for identification of new areas of technology cooperation through the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI).

The co-development and co-production element also fits into the PM’s ‘Make in India’ development model. “Now defence minister Manohar Parikkar will seek a list of technologies from various departments and which the US can share,” a source said.

GA’s launch system can be used for a variety of warplanes, including jets and drones, unlike existing technology that is more restrictive, Lall said, adding, “We need to design, build, launch and support systems that keep services mission ready, we must develop systems that utilise electric energy more efficiently and are designed to ease maintenance and reduce lifecycle costs. Our products push the boundaries of energy and fuel efficiencies, harsh operational environments, and high reliability standards.”

The existing carriers have a ski-jump design that depends on a warplane’s own thrust to get it aloft, limiting the jets that can be deployed. GA’s system uses electromagnetic force to help propel planes into the sky. It’s being fitted to the Gerald R Ford (CVN 78), the latest generation of US carrier. The system is a highly redundant, modular design with few moving parts.

Navy to boast US’ modern launch system | The Financial Express

 

[C130]

seems like a steal for India.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

Going to need some new jets to go with that catapult....

 

[C130]

Going to need some new jets to go with that catapult....

Mig-29K isn't even old too. you think they'll get the Rafale-M version??

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

Mig-29K isn't even old too. you think they'll get the Rafale-M version??

How about a bunch of original F18's on the cheap.

 

[C130]

How about a bunch of original F18's on the cheap.

the original F-18 muh...not worth it. go for the Advance SH or no Super Hornet at all.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

the original F-18 muh...not worth it. go for the Advance SH or no Super Hornet at all.

Time is running out Boeing Hopes to Stretch Super Hornet Line Through 2017 | Farnborough 2014 content from Aviation Week

 

[Agent_47]

"Soon equip" ?
INS Vishal is scheduled for 2024-25. What is the urgent need to all pump up?

 

[Ind4Ever]

So we are talking about Nuclear power AC ?

 

[cirr]

Indian media talkling bollocks as usual。

Soon to equip？

The US hasn't got its EMALS exactly right yet。

And the Indian CV（a shell of the final product）has been soaked in water for years。

Was the CV in question designed for EMALS in the 1st place？

Or our Indian friends are gonna alter the design midst the construction that has been on and off for god knows how many years?

 

[Abingdonboy]

The Indian Navy will soon equip its domestically-built aircraft carriers with US-based General Atomics’ (GA) new-generation catapult Electro-Magnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) — a quantum leap for the navy that currently relies on Russian ski-launch technology.

Talking to FE, Vivek Lall, CEO, US and International Strategic Development General Atomics Electromagnetics, said: “After concurrence from the US navy and permission to export, the system could provide key benefits to advance the Indian Navy.”

Lall, who visited India as part of the CEO delegation that accompanied US President Barack Obama last week, added: “The system’s flexible architecture allows for integration into a range of platforms with differing catapult configurations, enabling the launch and recovery of a wide variety of aircraft, including unmanned aerial vehicles, to enhance situational awareness. Our integrated system requires fewer personnel to operate and maintain, and provides a more fuel efficient alternative to legacy catapult systems.”

The US government’s permission to export the system to India probably came after PM Narendra Modi and Obama said they would explore ways of sharing aircraft carrier technology, said Lall, whose company has pioneered the technique.

While responding to a question, the CEO acknowledged that a significant amount of progress has been made, especially in the defence sector.

“There is potential for GA to establish a joint venture with an Indian counterpart and for this we have been in talks with several companies.”

Modi and Obama called for identification of new areas of technology cooperation through the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI).

The co-development and co-production element also fits into the PM’s ‘Make in India’ development model. “Now defence minister Manohar Parikkar will seek a list of technologies from various departments and which the US can share,” a source said.

GA’s launch system can be used for a variety of warplanes, including jets and drones, unlike existing technology that is more restrictive, Lall said, adding, “We need to design, build, launch and support systems that keep services mission ready, we must develop systems that utilise electric energy more efficiently and are designed to ease maintenance and reduce lifecycle costs. Our products push the boundaries of energy and fuel efficiencies, harsh operational environments, and high reliability standards.”

The existing carriers have a ski-jump design that depends on a warplane’s own thrust to get it aloft, limiting the jets that can be deployed. GA’s system uses electromagnetic force to help propel planes into the sky. It’s being fitted to the Gerald R Ford (CVN 78), the latest generation of US carrier. The system is a highly redundant, modular design with few moving parts.

Navy to boast US’ modern launch system | The Financial Express

Seems like rehashing old news. There is nothing noteworthy in this article, the EMALS sale to India is still subject to USN and USG clearances (although I'm sure it will be forthcoming). Nothing has been agreed yet.

Mig-29K isn't even old too. you think they'll get the Rafale-M version??

The MiG-29Ks aren't even contenders because they can't be operated using catapults (EMALS or otherwise). The IN sent out a RFI for N-MMRCAs for this very purpose (CATOBAR compatible fighters) some time back to get a feel for the water. IIRC the Rafale-M, F-18 SH and Sea Gripen were offered by their respective companies. Doesn't mean this will be relevant for the future selection.

Really the IN needs a 5th generation carrier fighter for its future EMALS-equipped carriers given the first (IAC-2) will be coming online in the mid 2020s. I'm not sure if 4.5++ fighters will cut it.

Maybe the "Silent" F-18s are worth looking at along with some E/A-18 Growlers. Really the IN is in a tough spot given the paucity of choice in 5th gen fighters that can take off using Catapults, the F-35C is the only contender for this but that project is a white elephant as far as I'm concerned and wound't offer the IN the lethality they need.

How about a bunch of original F18's on the cheap.

Why original F-18s? The IN has the funds, why are you suggesting decades old (and outdated) birds that would need to serve the IN 30+ ears from the mid 2020s?

Indian media talkling bollocks as usual。

Soon to equip？

The US hasn't got its EMALS exactly right yet。

And the Indian CV（a shell of the final product）has been soaked in water for years。

Was the CV in question designed for EMALS in the 1st place？

Or our Indian friends are gonna alter the design midst the construction that has been on and off for god knows how many years?

You are confusing yourself here bro. The EMALS isn't being proposed for the IAC-1 currently under construction that has been designed for STOBAR operations and whose air wing is already bought and paid for (MiG-29K, Ka-31 and later N-LCA).

The EMALS is being proposed for the currently under final design review IAC-2 that will be 65,000 tonnes.

 

[ruby007]

How about a bunch of original F18's on the cheap.

there's o way we'd go for F-18, the ship will be in ative duty only after 2025 so no worth of going for F-18 or Rafale, most probably naval version of FGFA if ever rolled out on time(and if US allowed) or it's going to be F-35 for sure,

 

[Abingdonboy]

there's o way we'd go for F-18, the ship will be in ative duty only after 2025 so no worth of going for F-18 or Rafale, most probably naval version of FGFA if ever rolled out on time(and if US allowed) or it's going to be F-35 for sure,

My gut is saying the F-35C too-this is certainly what Lockhead Martin would be pushing for, HARD. They need to sign up as many customers as possible to this great big mess that is the F-35 program. And the F-35 lobby in the US ligature is very powerful indeed so if EMALS is coming the IN's way then I wouldn't rule out the condition being F-35Cs to go with it.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

there's o way we'd go for F-18, the ship will be in ative duty only after 2025 so no worth of going for F-18 or Rafale, most probably naval version of FGFA if ever rolled out on time(and if US allowed) or it's going to be F-35 for sure,

True, 10 years is a long time off to plan. But how long did it take to design and send into production the Mig29K ...10 years maybe? So you better start designing now....

 

[janon]

True, 10 years is a long time off to plan. But how long did it take to design and send into production the Mig29K ...10 years maybe? So you better start designing now....

The carrier's design has not even been finalized yet. By the time the carrier is ready to undergo sea trials, the options would be clearer. My guess is that they will only consider a 5th gen jet - it does not make sense for our small naval air arm to operate 3 different kinds of 4+ gen fighters. If EMALS is seriously being considered, then F-35C should be all but confirmed - that is how US would sweeten the sale of EMALS. (Just as Russia sweetened the sale of INS Vikramaditya by offering a compatible air complement.)

To be very optimistic, I would consider a naval version of India's AMCA, or the FGFA. The former would be ideal, but that seems to be too much of a stretch as of now.