The US Navy has successfully completed the aircraft recovery testing of its new advanced arresting gear (AAG) system, which was supplied by General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS).
The trials saw the AAG system conduct its first C2-A Greyhound aircraft arrestment at the Runway Arrested Landing Site (RALS) in Lakehurst, New Jersey.
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It also successfully conducted its first arrestment for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft and the E-2C+ Hawkeye military aircraft during the test period.
The US Navy is carrying out AAG Performance Testing on the three aircraft in collaboration with GA-EMS in order to prepare the system for trials on-board the navy’s Gerald R Ford-class aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R Ford (CVN 78).
GA-EMS Programmes vice-president Rolf Ziesing said: “Since the carrier’s July 2017 commissioning, the AAG system aboard CVN 78 has successfully arrested the F/A-18 Super Hornet 747 times.
“We are now in the next phase of AAG capability and performance testing, targeting heavier, prop-based C-2A, E-2C and E-2D aircraft.
“We’ll continue both roll-in and fly-in testing throughout the summer.
“Once RALS testing is completed, the aircraft will be cleared to begin testing aboard CVN 78.”
GA-EMS’ AAG is a turbo-electric system that has been designed for controlled and reliable deceleration of aircraft.
It is currently installed on-board the aircraft carrier, along with the company’s Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS).
AAG facilitates the arrestment of a wide range of aircraft, as well as helping to reduce manning and maintenance requirements.
In addition, the systems are noted to provide higher reliability and improved safety margins.
The two systems have been successfully tested during at-sea periods on CVN 78.
AAG solutions are currently in production for deployment on-board the future USS John F Kennedy (CVN 79) and USS Enterprise (CVN 80).
