The NavalAir Systems Command, Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment program at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in south central New Jersey has delivered the first set of Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) components to be used on the future Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier.
“Being able to deliver the very first EMALS components is exciting,” said Capt. James Donnelly, program manager. “We are committed to this technology and committed to delivering a reliable product to the newest class of aircraft carriers.” The components were delivered earlier this month to the Naval base in Patuxent River, Md. Included in the delivery were two launch control subsystem servers, two sets of launch motor subsystem armature cooling systems and three power conversion subsystem rectifiers, according to George Sulich, the EMALS integrated program team leader at the NavalAir Systems Command, Lakehurst.
“The team has done a tremendous job ensuring that we could deliver these components to be installed in line with the ship’s construction schedule,” Sulich said. While the first equipment has been delivered to the Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, system functional demonstration testing continues at the test site at Navy Lakehurst.
The production and delivery of EMALS components and ongoing system functional demonstration testing are two distinct efforts.
Component production was previously granted based on successful performance during the high cycle testing and highly accelerated life testing phases of the program. EMALS is a complete carrier-based launch system designed for the Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and all future Gerald R. Ford-class carriers. Consisting of six subsystems, the launching system for aircraft is designed to expand the operational capability of the Navy’s future carriers.
In February, the Tri-Town News reported that more than 50 years had gone by that the Navy has been using steam to launch aircraft from aircraft carriers, and now the Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment program had launched an F/A- 18E Super Hornet fighter plane using the new technology that will replace steam catapults on future aircraft carriers.
This was an evolution in carrier flight deck operations using advanced computer control, system monitoring, and automation, Donnelly said.
The mission and function of the new electromagnetic aircraft launch system remain the same as the steam catapult, but the new system employs entirely different technologies and will deliver the necessary higher launch energy capacity as well as substantial improvements in system weight, maintenance, increased efficiency, and more accurate end-speed control.
Cmdr. Russ McCormack, deputy program manager for future systems, said he was excited about the improvement the new system will bring to the fleet from a capability and reliability perspective.
“This new system was designed for just that purpose, and the team is delivering that requirement,” McCormack said.
The system’s technology allows for a smooth acceleration at high and low speeds, increasing the aircraft carrier’s ability to launch aircraft in support of the war fighter.
The system will provide the capability for launching all current and future aircraft carrier air wing platforms, including lightweight unmanned to heavy strike fighters.
Engineers will continue system functional demonstration testing at the Lakehurst Naval Air Systems Command site. It is expected that the team will expand aircraft launches with the addition of T-45 and C-2 aircraft.