Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:24:37-1:25:04

EMALS maturity aboard USS Gerald R. Ford in 2020

EMALS could claim operational status on USS Gerald R. Ford in 2020, while problems from the first shipboard installation were still being worked through.

EMALSGerald R. Ford Class Aircraft CarriersNaval AviationNaval Procurement
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Question

Were EMALS catapults fully operational in 2020?

Short answer

USS Gerald R. Ford could claim operational status, with qualifications because the first shipboard installation was still working through early problems.

Notes

This 2020 snapshot treats EMALS as operational only with qualification. USS Gerald R. Ford carried the first shipboard installation, so early service included problems associated with bringing a new launch system into use. No launch figures or final maturity judgement are offered. The date matters because this is a record of first-of-class risk rather than a current status report.