EMALS and AAG require a smaller footprint and reduced maintenance and manpower. Credit: U.S. Navy/General Atomics.

The Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) and Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) have achieved 10,000 aircraft recoveries and launches aboard US Navy’s Gerald R Ford-class aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R Ford (CVN 78). 

The significant milestone announcement was made by General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS).

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The aircraft carrier has already completed its planned incremental availability (PIA) in March this year, and is now preparing for its upcoming deployment.

GA-EMS president Scott Forney said: “Over the past two years, EMALS and AAG have been rigorously exercised utilising aircraft in current air wing.

“The systems continue to perform successfully in operational, carrier qualification, and training environments and under all weather conditions.”

In 2017, GA-EMS secured a contract from the US Navy to supply spare parts and support sustainment requirements of CVN 78.

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The company is also under contract to deliver EMALS and AAG for the US Navy’s two future Gerald R Ford-class aircraft carriers, USS John F Kennedy (CVN 79) and Enterprise (CVN 80), which are currently under construction.

Furthermore, GA-EMS together with the US Navy is working to complete EMALS and AAG contract and schedule requirements for the fourth aircraft carrier of the same class, Doris Miller (CVN 81).

Forney added: “EMALS and AAG offer robust capabilities that are proving transformative, providing greater availability, efficiency, and flexibility to safely launch air wing of today while standing ready to support new aircraft as they join air wing of the future.

“We are extremely proud of our team and ship’s crew as they continue to meet each new milestone and steadily work towards bringing ‘Warship 78’ to fleet.”

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