Darwin McDaniel
General Atomics’ electromagnetic systems business demonstrated its Advanced Arresting Gear during a Naval Air Systems Command test aimed to ensure qualification of the system for barricade use on board Ford-class aircraft carriers.
The exploratory aircraft barricade arrestment test occurred at the Jet Car Track Site in Lakehurst, N.J., and marked the first such event conducted by NAVAIR in more than two decades, the company said Friday.
Scott Forney, president of General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems, said the system performed as planned in its first attempt.
“An E-2C+ Hawkeye aircraft weighing approximately 46,500 pounds was accelerated to a representative arresting speed into the barricade, where the net attached to the AAG via stanchions caught the aircraft and brought it safely to a stop,†Forney added.
AAG is currently installed on the Gerald R. Ford carrier and supports controlled deceleration of the aircraft.
The company produces the turbo-electric system along with the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System for integration onto John F. Kennedy and Enterprise vessels.
