EMALS maturity, maintenance, and supplier pressure

EMALS is discussed as an operational technology still working through reliability and maintenance problems. Clarke estimates that its maintenance and labour demands remain comparable to, or slightly greater than, those of steam equipment despite promised reductions that influenced carrier personnel numbers. He interprets the policy discussion as calling for a study of steam as an alternative. Another participant objects that changing the carrier design back to steam would introduce substantial complications. The response accepts that concern and argues that a study could establish the scale of those difficulties. Supplier pressure is offered as a possible additional motive, without establishing it as the government's stated purpose. General Atomics is identified as the prime designer, with other organisations contributing to the system.