General Atomics has delivered the first set of electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) production components to US Naval Air Systems Command for installation in the new aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R Ford (CVN 78).
The delivery includes a large number of hardware items related to its launch and recovery systems.
USS Gerald R Ford is the first aircraft carrier of the CVN 78 Class and will become the US Navy’s newest class of aircraft carrier, succeeding the Nimitz Class.
The Ford Class carriers will have EMALS electric aircraft launch capability, which will allow the aircraft to gradually increase take-off speed and thus reduce stress.
EMALS is more efficient, smaller, lighter, and easier to control than steam-powered catapults.
General Atomics production programme manager Dean Key said the company has manufactured the equipment, while the design, proof and qualification testing is still in progress.
