Does anyone know the current status of the EMALS catapult. I understand they are/were under consideration for the new carriers as late as last year - when the discussion about using the carrier version of the F-35 came up. They don't need steam or water and should take relathe launchtively little below deck space (lots of electricity though).
I think the USN is working on this but there are a few hurdles such as the large magnetic fields generated by the catapult interfering with an aircraft being launched by it. Naval aircraft are normally able to cop a bit more electromagnetic radiation than normal due a need to sit on a ship close to radars etc. Don't know how much shielding will be needed to protect the aircraft and deck crew etc etc. Would be a great system when working with very fine control of the launch.