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CATOBAR
Carrier centric aircraft launch-recovery system
Carrier centric aircraft launch-recovery system
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CATOBAR (acronym for catapult-assisted take-off but arrested recovery or catapult-assisted take-off, barrier arrested recovery) is a naval aviation system used for the takeoff and landing of fixed-wing aircraft from the flight deck of an aircraft carrier. Under the CATOBAR system, carrier-based aircraft are launched via assisted take-off with additional acceleration from an aircraft catapult, and land on the ship (the recovery phase) with assisted deceleration from an arresting gear.
Although the CATOBAR system is costlier and more technologically complex than alternative launch and recovery methods, it provides greater flexibility in carrier operations, since it imposes less onerous design requirements on fixed-wing aircraft than alternative methods such as STOVL or STOBAR, allowing for a greater maximum takeoff weight and thus more payload for ordnance and/or fuel. CATOBAR systems enable jet aircraft (which are much heavier than the propeller-powered naval fighters used during the Second World War) to be launched from only half of the carrier's deck length (leaving the aft-half as an angled flight deck dedicated to landing), and can launch heavy propeller aircraft that lack a high thrust-to-weight ratio such as the Grumman E-2 Hawkeye and C-2 Greyhound.
Types
Main article: Aircraft catapult
The catapult system in use in most CATOBAR carriers is the steam catapult. Its primary advantage is the amount of power and control it can provide. During World War II, the US Navy used a hydraulic catapult.
The United States and China have developed electromagnetic catapults that use a linear motor drive instead of steam. The electromagnetic catapult is found on the American Gerald R. Ford-class carriers (the electromagnetic aircraft launch system), the Chinese carrier Fujian and Type 076 class amphibious assault ships.
Current users
Since Brazil decommissioned NAe São Paulo in February 2017, only three states operate carriers that use the CATOBAR system: the U.S. with its Nimitz-class and Gerald R. Ford-class, France with its Charles De Gaulle, and China with its Type-003 Fujian.
Active CATOBAR aircraft carrier classes
| Class | Picture | Origin | No. of ships | Propulsion | Displacement | Operator | Aircraft carried | Catapult |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| *Nimitz* | [[File:USS Nimitz (CVN-68).jpg | frameless]] | United States | 10 | Nuclear | 100,020 t | F/A-18C Hornet | |
| F/A-18E/F Super Hornet | ||||||||
| F-35C Lightning II | ||||||||
| EA-18G Growler | ||||||||
| C-2 Greyhound | ||||||||
| E-2C/D Hawkeye | C-13-1 or C-13-2 steam | |||||||
| *Gerald R. Ford* | [[File:USS_Gerald_R._Ford_(CVN-78)_arrives_at_Naval_Station_Norfolk_on_14_April_2017.JPG | frameless]] | United States | 1 | Nuclear | 100,000 t | United States Navy | F/A-18E/F Super Hornet |
| F-35C Lightning II | ||||||||
| EA-18G Growler | ||||||||
| E-2D Hawkeye | EMALS | |||||||
| *Charles de Gaulle* | [[File:Charles De Gaulle (R91) underway 2009.jpg | frameless]] | France | 1 | Nuclear | 42,500 t | French Navy | Rafale M |
| E-2C Hawkeye | C-13-3 steam | |||||||
| *Fujian/Type 003* | [[File:PLAN CV-18 Fujian 20250911.jpg | frameless]] | China | 1 | Conventional | 08000 80,000+ t | People's Liberation Army Navy | Shenyang J-15 |
| Shenyang J-35 | ||||||||
| Xi'an KJ-600 | ||||||||
| Harbin Z-20 | EM catapult |
CATOBAR carriers under construction
| Class | Picture | Origin | No. of ships | Propulsion | Displacement | Operator | Aircraft carried | Catapult |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 076 | China | 1 | Conventional | 48,000 t | People's Liberation Army Navy | Hongdu GJ-11 | EM catapult | |
| PANG | France | 1 | Nuclear | 75,000 t | French Navy | Dassault Rafale M or FCAS | EMALS | |
| Type 004 | China | 1 | Nuclear | 110,000 t | People's Liberation Army Navy | Shenyang J-15 or Shenyang J-35 | ||
| Xi'an KJ-600 | EM catapult |
CATOBAR carriers planned
| Class | Picture | Origin | No. of ships | Propulsion | Displacement | Operator | Aircraft carried | Catapult |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| *INS Vishal* | ||||||||
| India | 1 | Integrated electric propulsion | 08000 65,000+ t | Indian Navy | HAL TEDBF | EM Catapult |
List of CATOBAR aircraft
- F/A-18E/F – only operated by the US Navy.
- EA-18G – only operated by the US Navy.
- C-2A – only operated by the US Navy.
- F/A-18 – only operated by the US Navy and Marine Corps.
- Rafale M – only operated by the French Navy.
- E-2C/D – only active with the US Navy and the French Navy.
- F-35C – only operated by the US Navy and Marine Corps.
- Shenyang J-35 - only operated by the PLAN.
- J-15T - only operated by the PLAN.
- KJ-600 - only operated by PLAN.
Potential users
The Chinese Fujian (Type 003) has an integrated electric propulsion system that will allow the operation of electromagnetic catapults, similar to the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) used by the United States Navy.
INS Vishal, India's second indigenous aircraft carrier of the Vikrant-class, is planned to displace 65,000 tons and to use the EMALS catapults developed by General Atomics, as it supports heavier fighters, AEW aircraft, and UCAVs that cannot launch using STOBAR ski jump ramps.
Under Project Ark Royal, the Royal Navy plans to install catapults and arrestor equipment on its two STOVL-configured s to launch and recover combat drones that are being procured under Project Vixen.
The Turkish defence industry is developing an indigenous catapult system to replace the ski jumps on its MUGEM-class aircraft carrier.
References
References
- RICHARD SCOTT. (June 8, 2023). "U.K. Considering Adding Catapults, Arresting Gear to Aircraft Carriers". USNI News.
- DZIRHAN MAHADZIR. (May 1, 2024). "Chinese Aircraft Carrier Fujian Leaves for First Set of Sea Trials". USNI News.
- "How Effective Will China's Carrier-Based Fighters Be?".
- "US-India Collaboration on Aircraft Carriers: A Good Idea?".
- (29 May 2013). "Indian Navy seeks EMALS system for second Vikrant-class aircraft carrier".
- "Gerald R Ford Class (CVN 78/79)". naval-technology.com.
- "新航母不用核动力就能电弹 靠这套领先全球的技术{{!}}航母_新浪军事_新浪网".
- Minnie Chan. (1 November 2017). "Breakthrough to Power most Advanced Jet Launch System on China's second Home-grown Aircraft Carrier". [[South China Morning Post]].
- "China Claims to have Developed Conventionally Powered Electromagnetic Catapult".
- (29 May 2013). "Indian Navy seeks EMALS system for second Vikrant-class aircraft carrier".
- (18 November 2023). "Project Ark Royal – Plans for angled decks and drones". [[UK Defence Journal]].
- "Turkish Navy Unveils MUGEM: A Fully Indigenous Aircraft Carrier". Naval News.
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