FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov 12, 2009
San Diego, Calif., November 12, 2009. General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems division (GA-EMS), along with the U.S. Navy Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), celebrated the opening of the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) test track at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Nov. 12, 2009.
Those in attendance included Congressman Chris Smith, Fourth Congressional District of New Jersey; RADM David L. “Deke” Philman, Director, Air Warfare Division (OPNAV N88) on the staff of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Integration of Capabilities and Resources (OPNAV N8); RDML Michael McMahon, Program Executive Officer for Aircraft Carriers; RDML (sel) Randolph L. Mahr, Aircraft Launch & Recovery Equipment (ALRE) Program Manager; CAPT Brian Antonio, Future Aircraft Carriers Program Office Program Manager, Michael R. Reed, Senior Vice President, Advanced Technologies Group, General Atomics; R. Scott Forney III, Division Vice President, Electromagnetic Systems Division, General Atomics (GA-EMS), and Sue Wojtowicz, ALRE Program Director of GA-EMS.
GA industry team members were in attendance, including Foster-Miller, Inc., Kato Engineering, L-3 Pulse Power Division, General Atomics Electronic Systems Inc., Electro Standards Laboratories, STV, Electro Mechanical Specialists, New England Wire, and Draka Cableteq.
In a unique display of the launch system, the armature, which would normally accelerate aircraft, sped down the track to cut the ceremonial ribbon.
EMALS is the catapult launch system that will go on CVN-78 class aircraft carriers, replacing the steam catapults used on the current generation of aircraft carriers. Commissioning of the test track has already begun and will continue over the next few months. The launch demonstration program is scheduled to begin in February, 2010 with deadload launches and will culminate with aircraft launches by the end of 2010.
“This is another significant milestone in the EMALS program, reinforcing our commitment to deliver a catapult system to CVN-78 on schedule,” said GA-EMS Division Vice President R. Scott Forney, III.
General Atomics is a San Diego-based innovation firm with a 50-year history of successful solutions for environmental, energy, and defense challenges. Affiliated manufacturing and commercial service companies include General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
For further information contact:
Joel Patton
Director, Advanced Programs &Strategic Development
Electromagnetic Systems Division
(703) 682-6838
Joel.Patton@ga.com
Doug Fouquet
Public Relations
(858) 455-2173
Fouquet@ga.com