The US Navy first launched the aircraft from the newest aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford with electromagnetic catapult (EMALS).

According to the US Navy, the launch of the F / A-18F deck fighter-bomber took place on July 28 from the USS Gerald R deck. Ford off the coast of Virginia.

Also, the electromagnetic finisher (AAG) was successfully tested, which took the aircraft aboard the aircraft carrier.

Earlier, the electromagnetic catapult and the finisher were successfully tested on the shores of Lake Lakehurst, New Jersey. Note that until this moment aircraft carriers USMC used exclusively steam catapults and hydromechanical finishers.

Note that US President Donald Trump doubted the prospects of introducing electromagnetic catapults on the new aircraft carriers of the Gerald Ford class.

In early May, in an interview with Time, Trump said that the electromagnetic catapult works poorly, and it is better for seafarers to return with the old technologies of a steam catapult.

Atomic aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford with a displacement of more than 100 thousand tons is the head superheavy ship of the new series, which should replace the old aircraft carriers such as Nimitz, which today constitute the main strike force of the US Navy. The new aircraft carrier was officially accepted into the Navy in July 2017.

Source: HB.