NAVAIR

EMALS

9 Images

A dead-load, or aircraft-representative weighted sled, speeds down the track during an Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) test launch aboard Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) in June 2015. (U.S. Navy Photo)
A dead-load, or aircraft-representative weighted sled, speeds down the track during an Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) test launch aboard Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) in June 2015. (U.S. Navy Photo)
<p>The Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) aboard Pre-Commissioning Unit Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is prepared to catapult a 16,000-pound sled off the flight deck on June 5, 2015. This initial launch, a first in Navy history, marks a major milestone for the Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment (PMA-251) EMALS test program and a tremendous accomplishment for the NAVAIR team that has worked to prepare the new launch system for integration and testing aboard CVN 78. (U.S. Navy Photo)</p>

The Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) aboard Pre-Commissioning Unit Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is prepared to catapult a 16,000-pound sled off the flight deck on June 5, 2015. This initial launch, a first in Navy history, marks a major milestone for the Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment (PMA-251) EMALS test program and a tremendous accomplishment for the NAVAIR team that has worked to prepare the new launch system for integration and testing aboard CVN 78. (U.S. Navy Photo)

Members of Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) engage in a hands-on Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) maintenance training exercise at the land-based test site at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JBMDL) in Lakehurst, New Jersey, on February 5, 2015. (U.S. Navy Photo)
Members of Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) engage in a hands-on Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) maintenance training exercise at the land-based test site at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JBMDL) in Lakehurst, New Jersey, on February 5, 2015. (U.S. Navy Photo)
<p>On November 18, 2011, an F-35C Lightning II test aircraft piloted by Lt. Christopher Tabert launches for the first time from the new electromagnetic aircraft launch system. The new launch system has been installed on the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). The F-35C carrier variant of the Joint Strike Fighter is distinct from the F-35A and F-35B variants with its larger wing surfaces and reinforced landing gear to withstand catapult launches and deck landing impacts associated with the demanding aircraft carrier environment. Initial carrier trials for the F-35C are scheduled for 2013. The F-35C is undergoing test and evaluation at Naval Air Station Patuxent River and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst before delivery to the fleet. (U.S. Navy photo)</p>

On November 18, 2011, an F-35C Lightning II test aircraft piloted by Lt. Christopher Tabert launches for the first time from the new electromagnetic aircraft launch system. The new launch system has been installed on the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). The F-35C carrier variant of the Joint Strike Fighter is distinct from the F-35A and F-35B variants with its larger wing surfaces and reinforced landing gear to withstand catapult launches and deck landing impacts associated with the demanding aircraft carrier environment. Initial carrier trials for the F-35C are scheduled for 2013. The F-35C is undergoing test and evaluation at Naval Air Station Patuxent River and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst before delivery to the fleet. (U.S. Navy photo)

<p>On September 27, 2011, an E-2D Advanced Hawkeye prepares to launch using the electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) at the full-size shipboard-representative test site at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. (U.S. Navy photo)</p>

On September 27, 2011, an E-2D Advanced Hawkeye prepares to launch using the electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) at the full-size shipboard-representative test site at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. (U.S. Navy photo)

<p>The Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System successfully completed the first launch of a C-2A Greyhound belonging to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Zero (VX-20) from the test site at NAVAIR Lakehurst, N.J.,  on June 8, 2011. The Greyhound was launched 18 times over a wide range of aircraft weights June 8 and 9 as part of ongoing aircraft compatibility testing. EMALS, a complete launch system designed for Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and future Ford-class aircraft carriers will replace the steam catapult system which has been in use for more than 50 years. (U.S. Navy photo)</p>

The Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System successfully completed the first launch of a C-2A Greyhound belonging to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Zero (VX-20) from the test site at NAVAIR Lakehurst, N.J.,  on June 8, 2011. The Greyhound was launched 18 times over a wide range of aircraft weights June 8 and 9 as part of ongoing aircraft compatibility testing. EMALS, a complete launch system designed for Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and future Ford-class aircraft carriers will replace the steam catapult system which has been in use for more than 50 years. (U.S. Navy photo)

<p>Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment Sailors, engineers and test team watch as a T-45C Goshawk is launched for the first time using the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) at the NAVAIR Lakehurst, N.J. test site June 1, 2011. The EMALS program is currently conducting aircraft compatibility testing. EMALS, a complete launch system designed for Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and all future Ford-class aircraft carriers will replace the steam catapult system which has been in use for more than 50 years. EMALS is lighter, requires less maintenance, and provides increased efficiency and more accurate end-speed control. (U.S. Navy photo)</p>

Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment Sailors, engineers and test team watch as a T-45C Goshawk is launched for the first time using the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) at the NAVAIR Lakehurst, N.J. test site June 1, 2011. The EMALS program is currently conducting aircraft compatibility testing. EMALS, a complete launch system designed for Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and all future Ford-class aircraft carriers will replace the steam catapult system which has been in use for more than 50 years. EMALS is lighter, requires less maintenance, and provides increased efficiency and more accurate end-speed control. (U.S. Navy photo)

<p>An F/A-18E Super Hornet is launched during a test of the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) at Naval Air Systems Command, Lakehurst, N.J. The Navy has used steam catapults for more than 50 years to launch aircraft from aircraft carriers. EMALS is a complete carrier-based launch system designed for Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and future Ford-class carriers. Newer, heavier and faster aircraft will result in launch energy requirements approaching the limits of the steam catapult, increasing maintenance on the system. The system's technology allows for a smooth acceleration at both high and low speeds, increasing the carrier's ability to launch aircraft in support of the warfighter. EMALS will provide the capability for launching all current and future carrier air wing platforms from lightweight unmanned aerial vehicles to heavy strike fighters. The first ship components were delivered to CVN 78 in 2011. (U.S. Navy photo)</p>

An F/A-18E Super Hornet is launched during a test of the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) at Naval Air Systems Command, Lakehurst, N.J. The Navy has used steam catapults for more than 50 years to launch aircraft from aircraft carriers. EMALS is a complete carrier-based launch system designed for Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and future Ford-class carriers. Newer, heavier and faster aircraft will result in launch energy requirements approaching the limits of the steam catapult, increasing maintenance on the system. The system's technology allows for a smooth acceleration at both high and low speeds, increasing the carrier's ability to launch aircraft in support of the warfighter. EMALS will provide the capability for launching all current and future carrier air wing platforms from lightweight unmanned aerial vehicles to heavy strike fighters. The first ship components were delivered to CVN 78 in 2011. (U.S. Navy photo)

<p>An F/A-18E Super Hornet prepares to launch during a test of the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) at Naval Air Systems Command, Lakehurst, N.J. The Navy has used steam catapults for more than 50 years to launch aircraft from aircraft carriers. EMALS is a complete carrier-based launch system designed for Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and future Ford-class carriers. Newer, heavier and faster aircraft will result in launch energy requirements approaching the limits of the steam catapult, increasing maintenance on the system. The system's technology allows for a smooth acceleration at both high and low speeds, increasing the carrier's ability to launch aircraft in support of the warfighter. EMALS will provide the capability for launching all current and future carrier air wing platforms from lightweight unmanned aerial vehicles to heavy strike fighters. The first ship components were delivered to CVN 78 in 2011. (U.S. Navy photo)</p>

An F/A-18E Super Hornet prepares to launch during a test of the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) at Naval Air Systems Command, Lakehurst, N.J. The Navy has used steam catapults for more than 50 years to launch aircraft from aircraft carriers. EMALS is a complete carrier-based launch system designed for Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and future Ford-class carriers. Newer, heavier and faster aircraft will result in launch energy requirements approaching the limits of the steam catapult, increasing maintenance on the system. The system's technology allows for a smooth acceleration at both high and low speeds, increasing the carrier's ability to launch aircraft in support of the warfighter. EMALS will provide the capability for launching all current and future carrier air wing platforms from lightweight unmanned aerial vehicles to heavy strike fighters. The first ship components were delivered to CVN 78 in 2011. (U.S. Navy photo)