Navy Aircraft Uses New Catapult System

Sept. 27, 2011 -- An E-2D Advanced Hawkeye command and control aircraft launched using EMALS. The Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System, known as EMALS, is set to replace the steam catapult systems that have been used to launch planes from aircraft carriers for over 50 years. The interface that connects the catapult to the aircraft remains the same, though the technology underneath is more advanced.