India has begun testing an electromagnetic catapult for aircraft carriers.

The Indian Institute of Plasma Research (IPR) has completed laboratory testing of a prototype electromagnetic launcher (EML) developed in-house. Next, IPR specialists have begun practical testing of this new device.

During demonstration tests, the system platform reached a speed of 18 meters per second, and tests under lock-in conditions confirmed the EMU's thrust at 8 kilonewtons. The Indian launcher is capable of launching a 170-kilogram payload, consisting of a 60-kilogram body and a 110-kilogram payload.

High-speed braking is achieved using a hybrid deceleration mechanism combined with a friction-based gripping system, allowing the payload to decelerate gradually rather than stopping abruptly. Four sets of double-ended linear induction motors are used for propulsion.

A development by Indian scientists is intended to become a prototype electromagnetic catapult for the country's navy. This new platform will reduce the length of aircraft carrier decks required to launch aircraft, compared to traditional steam catapults.

Electromagnetic launch technologies for both military and industrial applications are being developed in several countries as an alternative to traditional steam catapults. One of the most well-known is the US Navy's Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), currently installed on the Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers (pictured). Similar work is underway in France, China, and Russia.

The catapult prototype developed at IPR underlines India's commitment to self-reliance in advanced defence technologies, reducing dependence on foreign systems and strengthening domestic innovation capabilities.

Comments

[solar]

Similar work is being carried out in France and China. and Russia.

I would like to read the author's article about the Russian electromagnetic catapult for aircraft carriers.

[smart fellow]

India has begun testing an electromagnetic catapult for aircraft carriers.

For now, only for drone carriers - 170 kg load.

Electromagnetic launch technologies for both military and industrial purposes as an alternative to traditional steam catapults are being developed in several countries.

They have already been developed in the USA and China and installed on aircraft carriers.

Similar work is being carried out in France, China and Russia.

The future French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier of the next generation (PA-NG, named France Libre) will be equipped with three EMALS electromagnetic catapults developed by the American company General Atomics.
In Russia, development of a domestic electromagnetic catapult has been underway since 2014 for a heavy nuclear aircraft carrier (for example, the Storm or Storm-KM project), which does not yet exist and is not expected to be built.

[SAG]

The Indian launcher is capable of launching a 170-kilogram payload, consisting of a 60-kilogram body and a 110-kilogram payload.
Are they planning on launching their workers into the air or something? The stated weights are just right...

[vitaliy20091959]

In case of combat damage, including to the main power plant, the best catapult is a ski jump, and it is much cheaper both to produce and to operate.