One key technology needed to increase sortie rates is an
electromagnetic aircraft launch system, which will replace steam catapults.
It awarded two contracts in December for what it calls the
electromagnetic aircraft launch system. One award went to Northrop Grumman of Sunnyvale, Calif., and the other to General Atomics in San Diego.
The Ford class also comes with new electromagnetic catapults--the
Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EM ALS)--which will be able to launch more types of aircraft, from heavy strike fighters to light unmanned drones, than traditional steam-powered catapults.
Will also provide support to the Virtual Carrier (VCVN) Modeling and Simulation (M&S) IPT and support the commissioning of the
Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS).
The Navy recently made history when it launched the first aircraft from the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Lakehurst, N.J., test site using the
Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) technology.
In November 2007 the final critical design review for General Atomics'
Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (Emals) was completed.
While the Navy has mitigated the impact of some technologies, such as the nuclear propulsion and electric plant, three systems--the
electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS), the dual band radar, and the advanced arresting gear--have faced problems during development that may affect the ship's construction costs.
An
electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) is planned for the next-generation carrier, called CVNX-1, said Capt.
Ford arrived for the first time at her homeport of Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, following seven days at sea, during which her crew--along with representatives from Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News Shipbuilding, the CVN 78 Program Office, the Navy's Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, and various technical subject matter experts--demonstrated many of the ship's capabilities, including tracking aircraft with the dual band radar, conducting "no load" cycles using the new
electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EM ALS), and performing small boat operations.