Technical

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. – The Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) system recovers the first C-2A Greyhound at the Runway Arrested Landing Site (RALS) here May 24. This arrestment marks the beginning of AAG Performance Testing for the C-2A, as well as the E-2C Hawkeye and E-2D Advanced Hawkeye; another step toward ensuring the system can support the full USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) air wing. This phase of AAG testing follows 310 arrestments conducted using dead-loads, weighted sleds representative of these aircraft, at the nearby Jet Car Track Site (JCTS). The testing, which is expected to be completed this summer, will include both roll-ins and fly-ins, and numerous test points to validate AAG’s ability to safely arrest the aircraft. At the conclusion of this phase of testing, the C-2A, E-2C and E-2D will be cleared to commence manned aircraft testing aboard CVN 78. The sequential land-based testing will be completed for all aircraft types – first at JCTS, then RALS, prior to landing aboard the carrier.