QinetiQ US announces that it has received a contract from General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) in San Diego, California to deliver control hardware and software for the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and the Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) to be installed on the US Navy’s next Ford-class aircraft carrier, the future Doris Miller (CVN 81). This contract reflects a multi-year production task to update, procure, assemble, and test launch control and arresting control hardware. For more than a decade, QinetiQ has supported GA-EMS and the US Navy by providing the hardware and software for the EMALS Launch Control Subsystem, as well as control hardware and software for the AAG system. Development and production of the hardware and software will be done in QinetiQ’s Franklin, Massachusetts facility.
“QinetiQ US is honoured to continue our partnership with General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems, delivering critical technology for the fourth ship in the Ford-class, CVN 81. Our ongoing commitment to excellence ensures that the Navy is equipped with the best systems to accomplish its mission with increased reliability, improved operational efficiencies, and significantly decreased lifecycle costs,” said Christopher Forrest, Executive Vice President of Advanced Robotics and Mission Solutions at QinetiQ US.
Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) were developed for and installed on the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and future Ford-class carriers John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) and Enterprise (CVN 80). The Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) is a type of electromagnetic catapult system developed by General Atomics for the United States Navy. The system launches carrier-based aircraft by means of a catapult employing a linear induction motor rather than the conventional steam piston, providing greater precision and faster recharge compared to steam. Its main advantage is that it accelerates aircraft more smoothly, putting less stress on their airframes.
The Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) is a type of arresting gear developed by General Atomics for the U.S. Navy’s newest Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers. It replaces the MK 7 hydraulic arresting gear which is in use on the ten Nimitz-class aircraft carriers. The AAG is designed for a broader range of aircraft, including UAVs, while reducing manpower and maintenance. Rotary engines which use simple energy-absorbing water turbines (or twisters) coupled to a large induction motor provide finer control of the arresting forces.
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