General Atomics-Built Systems Help Navy Complete Aircraft Carrier Flight Deck Certification

The U.S. Navy used General Atomics-built launch and recovery systems aboard USS Gerald R. Ford as part of the flight deck certification process for the aircraft carrier.

General Atomics said Thursday the service branch completed FDC on March 20 with the support of the company’s Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System and Advanced Arresting Gear.

FDC serves as a way of assessing ship crew readiness and aviation technology performance in operational conditions that sailors may encounter during deployment. Prior to the certification, Navy personnel conducted F/A-18E/F flight operations aboard the vessel.

Aircraft compatibility tests on the CVN 78 carrier took place Jan. 31, utilizing both EMALS and AAG.

“We continue to see EMALS and AAG perform according to specifications to execute cats and traps with the objective of reaching the robust evolution rates necessary for combat,” said Scott Forney, president of General Atomics’ electromagnetic systems business.

EMALS is designed with a flexible architecture that allows different aircraft platforms to launch from vessel decks, while AAG is built to support the deceleration of aircraft.