EMALS.

This is coolbert:

Also from MARCO POLO through Harry at Sharkhunters, bad news for the U.S. Navy.

That electro-magnetic launch system to be found on the aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford too good!

"The new-class American aircraft carrier -- USS Gerald R. Ford -- which cost American taxpayers $13 billion, will most likely be useless. The F/A-18 Super Hornets and EA-18G Growler -- mainstay of the carrier-borne aircraft -- which carry 480-gallon external fuel tanks, cannot withstand the launching by the new electro-magnetic catapult (EMALS). The new catapult puts too much stress to those tanks, causing premature damages to the structure of the aircraft."

"Although the Pentagon had been aware of the deficiencies in the launch system for at least six months, this is just now being made public. New launch system software is being designed in a hurry, to reduce wear on the aircraft by adjusting power exerted during the launch, it is not likely to be installed and tested on board the Ford until after the ship is delivered in March of next year. Then, the success of the improved system is far from being guaranteed."

EMALS HAD BEEN TOUTED AS A SIGNIFICANT A MAJOR TECHNOLOGICAL BREAKTHROUGH WHEN FIRST ANNOUNCED.

This "wear and tear" is confined exclusively to the aircraft when equipped with EXTERNAL FUEL TANKS? This is not clear.

coolbert.