Talking about the program milestones, Scott Forney explained that EMALS and AAG went through the aircraft compatibility testing with the successful launch and recovery of 5 types of aircraft:
- Goshawk
- Gowler
- C-2 Greyhound
- Hawkeye
- Super Hornet
USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) with EMALS and AAG was able to launch and recover 167 aircraft launches and arrestments successfully in a single day, with a 100% safety record.
The aircraft carrier just completed independent steaming exercise 12 as part of the post delivery tests and trials period. This is used to shakedown the crew, the ship and the systems. As of today 4,491 catapult launches and landing arrestments using EMALS and AAG systems has been successfully and safely achieved aboard CVN 78.
EMALS and PANG program
Talking about France’s future aircraft carrier program known as PANG, Forney said this could be a very exciting opportunity for the United States Navy and for the French and for General Atomics.
“We’ve been under a study contract for the last 18 months with the U.S. Navy customer supporting a variety of studies including EMALS and AAG on the potential French aircraft carrier […] we will continue to support the PANG program”
Scott Forney, President of General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems
EMALS and AAG would allow interoperability between the French Navy and the U.S. Navy’s Nimitz-class and Gerald Ford-class.
Commenting on the artist impression showing a next generation aircraft carrier (fitted with three EMALS) launching a Rafale M fighter, GA-EMS’s president said it was just a rendering showing a successful launch of a French aircraft.
“After all the work that we have done for the U.S. government and U.S. Navy, on the Gerald Ford-class, it is exciting now to be working with the French on such an opportunity”
Scott Forney, President of General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems
PANG program confirmed during Euronaval
PANG (porte avions nouvelle génération) is the next generation aircraft carrier project for the French Navy (Marine Nationale). During Euronaval 2020, French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly confirmed that the PANG program will be launched in order to deliver a successor to the existing Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier in 2038.
To learn more about PANG, check out our in-depth article from July 2020.
About EMALS and AAG
Designed by General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) EMALS and AAG have been cleared for shipboard launch and recovery of all currently deployed Naval aircraft types aboard USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). GA-EMS is delivering EMALS and AAG for the future John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) and Enterprise (CVN 80).
EMALS uses electromagnetic technology to launch aircraft from the deck of naval aircraft carriers and offers significant benefits over current launch systems:
- Increased launch operational ability
- Flexible architecture to suit different platforms
- Capable of launching wide range of aircraft weights
- Reduced manning and lifecycle cost
- Reduced thermal signature
- Reduced topside weight and installed volume
AAG is a turbo-electric system designed for controlled and reliable deceleration of aircraft. The AAG system provides significant benefits over current recovery systems:
- Higher availability and safety margins
- Operational capability to recover projected air wing
- Reduced manning and maintenance
- Self-diagnosis and maintenance alerts
