Taxiing is an indispensable part of every aircraft before takeoff. This seemingly simple action contains the wisdom of human beings to defy the gravity of nature. It is by overcoming gravity that airplanes can take off and realize the pursuit of the sky that mankind has been pursuing since ancient times.
The secret in aircraft design lies in the aerodynamic principle generated by the wings. When the aircraft is moving at high speeds, a difference in air pressure creates between the upper and lower wings, which in turn creates a lifting force. This lift works with the thrust of the engine, and finally balances or even defeats gravity, allowing the aircraft to fly into the blue sky.
It can be said that the crystallization of human wisdom allows us to gallop through the sky and realize our long-held dream of flying. However, not every scenario provides sufficient conditions for an aircraft to take off.
In the case of runways at airports, industry standards require a length of at least 1,800 meters, but for short runways on aircraft carriers, the situation is completely different.
Statistics show that the world's longest aircraft carrier runway is only 300 meters, which is almost one-sixth of that of an ordinary airport. With such a short starting point, it is difficult to safely transport a plane weighing tens of tons into the air.
In the era when the relevant technology was not mature, accidents occurred from time to time when aircraft carriers failed to take off and fell into the sea. It wasn't until a revolutionary technology called the "Electromagnetic Catapult System" came out that this history was reversed.
The electromagnetic catapult system uses precisely controlled electromagnetic force to accelerate the aircraft to a speed sufficient for take-off in a very short time and catapult it into the forward orbit.
Originally developed by the United States, the technology made the United States the first country to land and take off planes within a few hundred meters of runway, and thus significantly increased its military capabilities.
At that time, China had plans to buy the American system, but considering that it was as high as 13With a sky-high price tag of $200 million and the fact that key technologies are firmly controlled by the United States, China finally decided to independently develop its own electromagnetic catapult system.
The United States had expressed skepticism about China's move, believing it to be too difficult. Today, China has not only made a breakthrough in the independent and controllable electromagnetic catapult technology, but also developed a system that shows better performance indicators than the American system in many aspects.
For example, it has taken the lead in increasing the frequency of aircraft takeoffs and landings and reducing the probability of failure. This is of extremely crucial significance in enhancing the combat effectiveness of China's aircraft carrier battle group through rain or shine.
Technically, China has adopted a more advanced electromagnetic power supply method, which makes the energy transmission of the system more uniform and stable, and at the same time greatly shortens the maintenance downtime.
This is especially important in the context of actual combat. The catapult take-off mode is also a major innovation of our country, which reduces the weight limit of fighter jets, allowing them to carry more ammunition into battle.
The seemingly ordinary "big iron plate" of the electromagnetic catapult system contains extremely high scientific and technological content and strategic value. China has gradually caught up, iterated and surpassed the leading position of the United States in this field from scratch, which has not only greatly enhanced its own naval combat capability, but also reflected China's determination and strength in scientific and technological innovation.