SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
At Aero India 2025, held in Bengaluru from February 10 to 14, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) unveiled its Electro-Magnetic Launch System (EMLS), a groundbreaking technology poised to revolutionize aircraft launch capabilities for the Indian Navy. While the system displayed was a scaled-down model, DRDO officials confirmed that work on a full-fledged EMLS is underway, marking a significant step towards India’s self-reliance in advanced naval aviation technology.
The EMLS prototype showcased at Aero India 2025 is a scaled-down version designed as a technological demonstrator, mounted on a trailer truck for mobility and testing purposes. This modular design is currently being tested to launch UAVs weighing up to 500 kg, with DRDO aiming to validate the system’s core technologies before scaling it up for larger applications. The trailer-mounted prototype will be used to demonstrate its ability to launch small-scale UAVs over short distances, achieving precise acceleration and control—key requirements for any electromagnetic launch system.
DRDO officials emphasized that the modular nature of the EMLS design allows for future scalability. While the current focus is on smaller payloads like UAVs, the system’s architecture is being developed with the long-term goal of launching heavier aircraft, including fighter jets. This modularity ensures that lessons learned from the ongoing tests can be applied to more ambitious projects, potentially integrating the EMLS into India’s future naval platforms.
The Indian Navy has expressed keen interest in the EMLS, with specific requirements for a system capable of launching 30-ton fighter jets from aircraft carriers. Such a capability would enable the Navy to operate advanced fighters like the Rafale-M or the indigenous Twin-Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) from its carriers, enhancing operational flexibility and combat effectiveness. Unlike traditional steam catapults, which require extensive maintenance and are less efficient for modern naval aviation needs, the EMLS offers smoother acceleration, reduced stress on aircraft airframes, and the ability to launch a wider range of platforms—from lightweight UAVs to heavy fighters.
The Navy’s interest in the EMLS aligns with its long-term modernization plans, particularly for the proposed Indigenous Aircraft Carrier-III (IAC-III), a 65,000-ton behemoth envisioned as a next-generation flattop. If successfully demonstrated and implemented, the EMLS could make India only the third country after the United States and China to deploy such an advanced aircraft launch system on its carriers. The U.S. Navy has already integrated the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) into its Gerald R. Ford-class carriers, while China has equipped its Type 003 carrier, the Fujian, with a similar system. India’s entry into this elite club would mark a significant milestone in its naval capabilities, enhancing its strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
While the potential of the EMLS is immense, DRDO officials cautioned that the program is still in its early stages and will require a decade or more to mature into a fully operational system for fighter jet launches. The current focus on small-scale UAV launches is a critical step in validating the technology, particularly the linear electric machine and energy storage systems that form the backbone of the EMLS. These components must be scaled up significantly to handle the energy demands of launching a 30-ton aircraft, a task that involves complex engineering challenges related to power generation, heat dissipation, and structural integrity.
Moreover, the integration of the EMLS into a future aircraft carrier like the IAC-III hinges on several prerequisites, including government clearance for the carrier’s development. The Indian Navy is still awaiting approval for the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier-II (IAC-II), a proposed sister ship to the IAC-I (INS Vikrant), which was commissioned in 2022. The IAC-II, expected to be a 45,000-ton conventionally powered carrier, may serve as a stepping stone before the larger IAC-III is greenlit. Delays in securing funding and finalizing design specifications for these carriers could push the timeline for EMLS integration even further.
The successful development of the EMLS would have far-reaching implications for India’s defence capabilities and its standing in the global defence technology landscape. By mastering electromagnetic launch technology, India would reduce its reliance on foreign systems like steam catapults, which are currently used on its sole operational carrier, INS Vikramaditya, and planned for INS Vikrant. The EMLS offers several advantages over steam catapults, including higher efficiency, lower maintenance requirements, and the ability to launch aircraft with greater precision and reduced wear and tear.
NOTE: Article cannot be reproduced without written permission of idrw.org in any form even for YouTube Videos to avoid Copy right strikes. Websites doing illegal reproductions will get DMCA and Legal Notices.