General Atomics Electromagnetics is displaying its electromagnetic launch systems (EMALS) compatible with UAVs at FIA2024 organised in the U.K. The subsidiary has put two systems on display with various UAV systems. The first one is the EMALS on a carrier model with what appears to be a naval variant of the MQ-20 Avenger UCAV with folded wings. GA-ASI previously submitted to the USN's UCLASS programme with the Avenger-C jet-powered UCAV with reinforced landing gear but lost to Northrop's tailless X-47B.
The second concept is a smaller one with GA-ASI's upcoming Gambit modular UAV and MQ-9B STOL depicted on a Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier. MQ-9B STOL is being developed to operate without a catapult and an STOL test was carried out from HMS Queen Elizabeth (R-09) with Mojave UCAV. General Atomics' concept adds a smaller catapult beside the ski jump for the Gambit 2 air-to-air combat UCAV. The installation of a smaller catapult has been a subject of discussion for the next Queen Elizabeth-class carriers of the Royal Navy.
The precision-adjustable power of electromagnetic catapults makes them more fit for operating smaller platforms like UCAVs as this eliminates the risk of excessive force. Additionally, electricity-based systems are easier to scale compared to steam-based ones, which is demonstrated by General Atomics Electromagnetics with a concept of mini-EMALS on the Queen Elizabeth-class carrier.
The addition of UCAVs into the naval air wing is known to have been worked on by Turkiye and China rather than by the U.S.
Turkiye is pushing for the deployment of Bayraktar TB3 naval UCAV on TCG ANADOLU LHD (L400), as well as studying KIZILELMA unmanned fighter and the flying-wing ANKA-3 UCAV's deployment on its future ski-jump aircraft carrier. Bayraktar TB3 performed its first ski jump tests in June 2024.
China is similarly considering UCAVs for use on LHDs and aircraft carriers. Upcoming Type 076 LHD with an electromagnetic catapult is expected to operate UCAVs.
