General Atomics has received a 43.3 million contract modification to continue development of the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System and Advanced Arresting Gear for the future French aircraft carrier, according to a US Navy contract announcement. The award supports detailed design work through the critical design review phase and establishes a configuration baseline for Frances next generation carrier program.
The work is funded through the Foreign Military Sales program and managed by Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River, Maryland. The contract underscores the growing international adoption of US developed carrier launch and recovery technology.
Contract Details and Scope of Work
The modification, identified as P00002, applies to order N0001925F0028 under a previously issued basic ordering agreement. It is structured as a firm fixed price and cost plus fixed fee order and exercises options for continued design and development work.
Under the agreement, General Atomics will advance the French carrier configuration of EMALS and Advanced Arresting Gear through the critical design review. This phase is a major milestone in naval acquisition programs, as it confirms that the system design meets operational requirements and is ready to move toward production planning.
In addition to design maturation, the contract includes procurement of technical data packages to support the established configuration. These data are essential for integration planning, future production decisions, and long term sustainment of the systems.
Work Locations and Schedule
Contracted work will be performed primarily in San Diego, California, accounting for 89 percent of the effort. Additional work will take place at several US Navy and industrial support sites, including Lakehurst, New Jersey at 5.5 percent, Tupelo, Mississippi at 3.5 percent, Boston, Massachusetts at 1 percent, and Patuxent River, Maryland at 1 percent.
The project is scheduled for completion in January 2028, aligning with the broader timeline of Frances future aircraft carrier development. All funds, totaling 43,349,633 dollars, will be obligated at the time of award. None of the funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, providing financial stability for the multi year effort.
EMALS and AAG in Carrier Modernization
EMALS and Advanced Arresting Gear represent a major shift away from traditional steam catapults and hydraulic arresting systems. Developed for the US Navy and first deployed aboard the Gerald R Ford class aircraft carriers, EMALS uses electromagnetic energy to launch aircraft with greater control and reduced stress on airframes.
Advanced Arresting Gear complements EMALS by using energy absorbing water turbines and digital controls to recover aircraft more efficiently. Together, the systems are designed to support a wider range of aircraft, including heavier strike fighters and future unmanned platforms.
For France, adoption of EMALS and AAG reflects a decision to align its future carrier with advanced US Navy standards, improving interoperability during allied operations. The future French carrier is expected to replace the nuclear powered Charles de Gaulle and operate next generation naval aircraft well into the mid century.
Strategic and Industrial Significance
The contract highlights General Atomics expanding role as a key supplier of carrier launch and recovery technology beyond the United States. France is currently the only confirmed international customer for EMALS and AAG, making the program a significant example of transatlantic defense cooperation.
From a US perspective, the award reinforces the Foreign Military Sales framework as a tool for strengthening alliances while supporting the domestic defense industrial base. Work spread across multiple US states also reflects the distributed nature of naval aviation support infrastructure.
The order was not competed, consistent with the proprietary nature of EMALS and AAG technology and General Atomics status as the original developer and manufacturer.
Program Oversight and Next Steps
Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River serves as the contracting activity and program oversight authority. NAVAIR has long managed carrier aviation launch and recovery systems for the US Navy, including testing and certification at Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst.
Completion of the critical design review will mark a key step toward finalizing the French carrier configuration and enabling future production decisions. Subsequent phases are expected to focus on system manufacturing, integration, and testing aligned with the ships construction schedule.
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