NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. -- NAVAIR Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System developers have given a green light to engineers at General Atomics in Tupelo, Miss., to engage in full power train testing of EMALS motor components.

This second phase of High Cycle Testing (HCT-2), which includes environmental qualification testing, allows engineers to collect data and gauge the operability for EMALS.

EMALS is designed to lower overall operating costs and reduce maintenance over steam catapults and is designed to minimize ‘wear and tear’ on carrier-based aircraft. The system is under development to replace steam catapults on the CVN 21 class aircraft carriers and will launch aircraft using a linear motor drive.

“Initiation of HCT-2 is the next critical demonstration phase for the EMALS test program,” said Capt. Randy Mahr, Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment (PMA-251) program manager. “This effort will test the readiness of the system for further operations.”

To ensure EMALS power train testing operates efficiently and reliably on the carrier, the system must complete 10,000 simulated launch test cycles. The system is designed for Ford-class carriers, replacing the steam catapults currently used on aircraft carriers.

EMALS reached the 10,000 High Cycle Testing, phase 1 milestone Sept. 3 at the General Atomics test facility in Tupelo. HCT-1 was conducted in order to verify the performance capabilities of EMALS’ electrical and thermal power equipment, and the shipboard cycling rate of the energy storage subsystem.

The system’s technology allows for smooth acceleration at both high and low speeds, increasing the carrier’s ability to launch aircraft with less stress on the ship and its related systems. EMALS will use modular electrical and electronic components not subject to mechanical wear, while offering the ability to support carrier air wings of the future.

“EMALS is designed to safely operate if executing a launch during the sudden, unexpected loss of power,” said Mahr. “Once a launch has been initiated, the fully redundant systems ensure the carrier is still able to launch aircraft.”

PMA-251 manages the development, demonstration and acquisition of operational advances in aviation data management and control systems, expeditionary air fields and all launch and recovery related products.

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Cutline: Engineers at Naval Air Engineering Station in Lakehurst, N.J., lower the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System motor onto a track bed for testing. A second phase of High Cycle Testing was recently initiated at the General Atomics test facility in Tupelo, Miss. (U.S. Navy Photo)