Sailors supporting launch and recovery operations aboard USS Gerald R Ford (CVN 78) celebrated a major training milestone this week.
Ten trainees were the first to graduate the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) Carrier Aviation Boatswain Mate Equipment (ABE) C-school using the Multipurpose Reconfigurable Training System (MRTS 3D) at Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT) Unit Norfolk, Sept. 21, 2021.
When facing emergency landing conditions, aviators and aircrew have long relied on time-tested training, procedures, and equipment to make perilous moments as safe as possible.
As the Navy adapts to the CMV-22B Osprey as its carrier onboard delivery (COD) platform, many new procedures need to be created and approved from the ground up. Unlike previous V‑22 variants, there were no standardized crash equipment available on a carrier to protect the CMV-22B during emergency landings.
The first operational TH-73A helicopter was presented to the U.S. Navy June 10 during a ceremony at the AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corporation (Leonardo) plant in Philadelphia.
The U.S. Navy declared initial operational capability for the Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS) on May 4, signaling the system’s ready to provide precision approach and landing capabilities to tactical carrier aircraft at sea in support of naval aviation operations worldwide.
Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) and Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) achieved 8,000 aircraft recoveries and launches aboard USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) on April 19, during the final independent steaming event of her 18-month Post Delivery Test & Trials (PDT&T) period.
Capt. Kenneth Sterbenz, Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment (ALRE) program manager (PMA-251) for EMALS and AAG, said ALRE finished PDT&T strong, and they are ready for the next step, as Ford prepares for Full Ship Shock Trials, which is scheduled to begin summer 2021.
The Naval Air Traffic Management Systems Program Office (PMA-213) completed Precision Approach and Landing System (PALS) certification on the United Kingdom’s newest aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08), in March, completing a critical step in readying the ship for its first operational deployment.
The flight deck crew casts no shadows; the low, dark cloud ceiling completely covers the sun. The aircraft marshaller, donned in a yellow life preserver, raises the bright orange collar of his Marina Militare jacket to shield his neck. Rain collects in the pad eyes (padeyes).
Some miles away, above the gray blanket, an F-35 pilot is preparing to recover aboard the currently out-of-sight rectangle of real estate that he is sure is below in the middle of a vast ocean.
The first two E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Distributed Readiness Trainers (D-DRT) successfully completed fleet mission testing at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia, and was officially deemed ready-for-training Feb. 26, five months ahead of schedule.
The U.S. Navy awarded a $115 million production contract March 10, 2021, to Northrop Grumman Corporation for the Department of the Navy Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (DoN LAIRCM) systems. This contract awards brings the latest version of the DoN LAIRCM system to the Department of Defense fleet aircraft, and some foreign military partners, with installation beginning in 2022.
The Advanced Tactical Aircraft Protection Systems Program Office (PMA-272) received the Edward H. Heinemann Award during the 21st NAVAIR Commander’s Award ceremony, March 31, for their significant accomplishments in improving, testing and fielding Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force small-to-medium aircraft survivability capability against today’s most critical threats.
