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Navy Lakehurst Breaks Ground
on Landmark Catapult Project |
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LAKEHURST, N.J. – Congressman Chris Smith (R-Hamilton) joined military commanders and local officials and community leaders today to break ground for a multi-million state-of-the-art program that will design the next generation of catapults used to launch fighter planes from aircraft carriers. Smith secured $20.68 million in direct federal earmarks to build the (Electromagnetic Aircraft Launching System) EMALS at Navy Lakehurst. The project will help improve the efficiency and safety for fighter pilots and help keep the base, which is “The EMALS project is critical to the future of our Navy and carrier fleet, and I know the top-notch team of engineers at Navy Lakehurst will do us proud as they develop a system to enhance the power-projection, capabilities, and safety on the next generation of aircraft carriers,” Smith said. “The project also underscores the essential role Navy
In total, EMALS is a $373 million Navy program to replace the current generation of steam-based catapults on aircraft carriers with new systems that utilize electromagnetic energy.
Once tested and proven at Lakehurst, EMALS will: (a) reduce the stress on airframes during launch, lengthening their service life and saving future procurement requirements, (b) reduce manning requirements on aircraft carriers, thereby cutting current operating costs, (c) increase aircraft sortie rates and boost carrier firepower, and (d) improve the safety and reliability of one the Navy’s most mission-critical systems aboard the aircraft carrier.
Recently, General Atomics won a competition to be selected as the developer of the project. The funds secured by Smith will be used to build a full-scale testing facility at “Less than two years, we dedicated the state-of-the art ‘SuperLab’ on this very base, another significant milestone for Navy “With SuperLab, EMALS, and several other major initiatives, I am confident Navy Smith has secured more than $50 million in direct federal support for the base during the past few years. | ||
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For Immediate Release: April 19, 2004 Contact: Nick Manetto (202) 225-3765 |
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