US Navy Executes First At-sea Aircraft Launch and Recovery On-board CVN 78

General Atomics has announced that the US Navy successfully executed its first at-sea aircraft launch and recovery events aboard the newly commissioned aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) on 28 July, using GA-EMS Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG).

The first arrestment and launch of an F/A-18F Super Hornet was followed by three additional successful arrestments and launches, the company said in a statement Saturday.

 “We look forward to working closely with the Navy as testing and trials continue to exercise these systems to help bring CVN 78 forward into operational readiness,” said Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS.

In addition to CVN 78, GA-EMS is the sole source provider of AAG and EMALS for Ford-class carriers, including the future USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), which is currently under construction, and the future USS Enterprise (CVN 80). EMALS provides sophisticated software controls and power electronics to drive the world’s largest linear induction motors to ensure accurate end speeds and smoother accelerations. 

AAG is a turbo-electric system designed for controlled and reliable deceleration of aircraft during recovery operations on carriers.  Both systems continue land-based testing at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, to support the launch and recovery of all aircraft types and models scheduled for the Ford-class air wing.