# EMALS
Latest news and articles about EMALS
Total: 4 articles found
China Accelerates Build of ‘004’ Nuclear Carrier, Pressing a Strategic Window in the Western Pacific
Chinese media and imagery indicate accelerated construction of a large fourth carrier, 004, at Dalian with a reported waterline wider than the US Ford class and likely nuclear propulsion. Fitted with four EMALS and expected to enter service in the late 2020s, the ship is portrayed domestically as a capability to extend China’s reach beyond the first island chain and contest US maritime dominance in the Western Pacific.
US Navy’s Newest Ford‑Class Carrier Completes First Sea Trials — Delivery Looms Amid Technical and Political Crosswinds
The Ford‑class carrier John F. Kennedy completed its first week‑long sea trial and is due for delivery early next year. The class offers substantial capability improvements — notably EMALS and greater electrical power — even as technical problems and political calls to revert to older steam systems complicate the programme and its strategic implications.
After 15 Years, the Kennedy’s Sea Trials Highlight a Growing U.S.–China Carrier Gap
The John F. Kennedy began sea trials in January 2026 after a 15‑year build that highlights persistent technical and industrial challenges in the U.S. Ford‑class programme, notably the unreliable EMALS catapult. China’s carrier programme, which reportedly started construction of a Type 004 nuclear carrier in 2026, is advancing more rapidly, raising questions about future balance of naval power in the Indo‑Pacific.
China’s J-15T Adapted for Catapult Launches, Signalling a Step-Change in Carrier Aviation
China has introduced a J-15 variant equipped with a catapult tow bar, allowing it to launch from catapult-equipped carriers. This adaptation signals a broader move toward CATOBAR operations that could enhance payload, range and sortie rates for Chinese carrier air wings, though operational and logistical challenges remain.