General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems Group (GA-EMS) celebrated a significant milestone with the delivery of the 12th and final Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) energy storage system motor generator set to Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) for installation in the new Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, CVN 78.

GA-EMS delivered the first motor generator set in June 2011, ensuring the components met the in-yard dates of Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc. (HII), construction yard for CVN 78.

“The last 4 motor generators were ready to deliver 30 days early,” said Dean Key, GA-EMS’s EMALS/ AAG (Advanced Arresting Gear) Production Program Manager.  

“This was a tight schedule, but it demonstrates what can be accomplished when government and industry collaborate in a focused effort.  It was challenging work and we are very proud of this accomplishment,” Key added.

The EMALS and AAG CVN 78 shipset consists of more than 8,400 hardware items, the first of which was delivered in May 2011.  To date, GA-EMS has delivered more than 522 tons of hardware and 35 miles of cable. Its storage facility houses several hundred more tons of hardware and more than 12 miles of cables ready to deliver.  

GA-EMS continues to deliver all hardware items on time to HII for installation into CVN 78, which is scheduled to be delivered to the US Navy in 2015.

“We are determined to continue managing to the required in-yard need dates while ensuring qualification lessons learned are incorporated into the final CVN 78 EMALS and AAG hardware to support the on time, high quality delivery of CVN 78,” said Scott Forney, GA-EMS Division Vice President.

“There are still many challenges facing us, but I am confident in the team we have put in place to handle those challenges, providing on time delivery of both EMALS and AAG hardware to CVN 78,” Forney added.

EMALS and AAG will replace the traditional steam catapult and hydraulic arresting gear.  This new electromagnetic system will lower operating costs, reduce maintenance, improve catapult performance, and expand the range of manned and unmanned aircraft that the aircraft carrier can launch and recover.

GA was awarded the prime fixed-priced, schedule-incentive contract to provide the EMALS and AAG system for CVN 78 in June 2009, and is manufacturing the CVN 78 hardware concurrently with the System Design and Demonstration (SDD) programs.