“CVN 78 Celebrates Milestone: EMALS and AAG Systems Achieve 10,000 Launches and Recoveries!”
General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) declared today that 10,000 catapult launches and arrested landings utilizing the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) have been successfully and securely accomplished aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). The inaugural class aircraft carrier finalized its Planned Incremental Availability (PIA) in March 2022 and is now gearing up for its forthcoming deployment.
“Throughout the past two years, EMALS and AAG have been meticulously utilized with aircraft in the present air wing. The systems continue to exhibit exceptional performance in operational settings, carrier qualification, and training environments under all meteorological conditions,” stated Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS. “EMALS and AAG provide powerful capabilities that are proving revolutionary, offering enhanced availability, efficiency, and adaptability to securely launch the current air wing while remaining prepared to accommodate new aircraft as they integrate into the air wing of the future. We take immense pride in our team and the ship’s crew as they continually achieve new milestones and diligently work toward integrating ‘Warship 78’ into the fleet.”
Through several agreements with the Navy, GA-EMS is presently assisting with the sustainment requirements for CVN 78 and supplying EMALS and AAG for the next two Ford-class carriers currently in production, John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) and Enterprise (CVN 80). GA-EMS is also collaborating with the Navy to determine the contract and scheduling needs for the fourth Ford-class aircraft carrier, Doris Miller (CVN 81).
