EMAL delivered for carrier

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- A new electromagnetic aircraft launch system for installation on the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) has been delivered to the U.S. Navy.

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems Group said the EMALS energy storage system motor generator set was the 12th such system produced and delivered to the Navy since June.

"The last four motor generators were ready to deliver 30 days early," said Dean Key, GA-EMS's EMALS/Advanced Arresting Gear production program manager. "This was a tight schedule, but it demonstrates what can be accomplished when government and industry collaborate in a focused effort."

General Atomic said the EMALS and AAG shipset is comprised of more than 8,400 hardware items.

EMALS and AAG is replacing the steam catapult and hydraulic arresting gear currently being used to launch aircraft from a carrier and retrieve them. In addition to less maintenance, the new system provides capability to launch and retrieve a wider variety of aircraft, including unmanned aerial vehicles.

The Navy contracted General Atomics for the CVN gear in 2009.