Defence

QinetiQ to support EMALS and AAG on next-gen US Navy aircraft carrier

Posted 6 September 2024

QinetiQ US has received a contract from General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS), to deliver control hardware and software for the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and the Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) to be installed on the US Navy's next Ford-class aircraft carrier, the future Doris Miller (CVN 81).

Above: USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78).
Courtesy QinetiQ / NAVAIR

This contract reflects a multi-year production task to update, procure, assemble, and test launch control and arresting control hardware. For more than a decade, QinetiQ has supported GA-EMS and the US Navy by providing the hardware and software for the EMALS Launch Control Subsystem, as well as control hardware and software for the AAG system. These systems were developed for and installed on the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and future Ford-class carriers John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) and Enterprise (CVN 80).

Christopher Forrest, Executive Vice President of Advanced Robotics and Mission Solutions at QinetiQ US, said: "QinetiQ US is honoured to continue our partnership with General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems, delivering critical technology for the fourth ship in the Ford-class, CVN 81.

"Our ongoing commitment to excellence ensures that the Navy is equipped with the best systems to accomplish its mission with increased reliability, improved operational efficiencies and significantly decreased lifecycle costs."

Development and production of the hardware and software will be done in QinetiQ’s Franklin, Massachusetts facility.