NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. – The chief engineer for the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) was recently honored for his role in developing the Navy’s next-generation aircraft carrier launch system.

Sean Brennan, assigned to the Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment Program Office’s (PMA-251) EMALS team, received the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft (NAWCAD) Commander’s Award in the Technical Excellence category Dec. 18 during a ceremony at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.

Additionally, Rear Adm. Donald Gaddis, program executive officer for Tactical Aircraft Programs (PEO(T)),  presented the Meritorious Civilian Service Award to Brennan for his efforts with the EMALS program during an office all-hands meeting Dec. 3 at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., where Brennan is based. The Meritorious Civilian Service Award is the nation’s third-highest civilian recognition.

Brennan’s technical leadership and direction helped EMALS progress from theoretical foundations to a fully functional integrated launch system, operating at power levels in a manner and density that had never before been attempted, according to the award nomination.

“Sean has been in the hot seat for seven straight years, and he has shown unparalleled dedication to making this program a reality,” said Capt. James Donnelly, PMA-251’s program manager. “A few years ago, Vice Adm. [David] Architzel [former commander of the Naval Air Systems Command] and Rear Adm. [Randy] Mahr [former NAWCAD commander] were in front of Congress being asked ‘will EMALS work?’ Sean Brennan was the catalyst for making it work, and that is no longer a question.”

PMA-251‘s EMALS team is developing, testing and delivering the Navy’s first, new carrier-launch technology in 60 years, replacing the steam-powered catapult system, which has been a workhorse of naval aviation since 1954.

EMALS is a complete carrier-based launch system designed for all future Gerald R. Ford-class carriers, starting with the namesake for the class, CVN 78, which was christened in November.

The system delivers higher launch-energy capacity as well as substantial improvements in system maintenance, energy efficiency and more accurate end-speed control. The system will provide the capability for launching all current and future carrier aircraft platforms – from lightweight unmanned aircraft to heavy strike fighters.