General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems division (GA-EMS) recently completed expansion and start-up of a 6,250 square foot advanced vacuum pressure impregnation and motor winding facility at its manufacturing and test site in Tupelo, Mississippi.

The facility includes a 9 ft diameter vacuum-pressure resin chamber, multiple vacuum storage tanks to utilize several different resin systems, and heating/curing ovens.

With this equipment GA-EMS is qualifying to be a U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA)-certified supplier of "Electric Motor Sealed Insulation Systems" to Mil-Std-2037 (Random Wound, Form Wound and Salient Pole Motors) as well as preparing to assemble formed coil electrical motors with frame sizes up to 104 inches in diameter or 78 inches square. In addition, GA-EMS will utilize its own proprietary insulating system used on Industrial and Commercial Motor Applications.

"The addition of this new motor facility will position GA-EMS to become a major supplier of Navy motors, motor assemblies and electric actuators," said Scott Forney, GA-EMS Division Vice President.

This is the fifth addition in six years at the Tupelo facility, bringing the total manufacturing and test facility footprint to 128,400 square feet. A sixth addition has been approved for the Tupelo site that will break ground and be completed in 2012. This addition is planned for 140,000 square feet and will bring the Tupelo facility size to 268,400 square feet.

"We have been very happy with the level of talent we have been able to hire in Mississippi. We have received solid State and Federal job training funds. We are particularly excited with the most recent expansion enabling new motor supply opportunities. The next expansion will add more needed machining centers amongst other manufacturing and test capabilities," stated Pete Rinaldi, GA-EMS Tupelo General Manager.

The GA-EMS Tupelo plant presently manufactures and tests large power components for the Navy's new carrier-based advanced launch and recovery systems. These components include the linear launch motor, high power conditioning electronics, and power cable delivery systems.