The problem-ridden "Advanced Arresting Gear" (AAG) landing system that delayed the launch of the U.S. Navy's new USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) supercarrier for over four years will still be used in the second carrier in this new class, the USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79).

The Naval Air Systems Command made this assessment citing a series of successes in the test program for the AAG developed by General Atomics. The AAG is undergoing commissioning testing aboard the Ford.

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The Navy said the decision to move forward with AAG follows the 350th recovery of an F/A-18E Super Hornet in December. AAG also completed more than 1,400 dead-load arrestments and 351 test arrestments with the Super Hornet.

"AAG works," said Capt. Steve Tedford, Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment program manager and head of the team managing the AAG development program.

"The progress of AAG testing this past year has been significant and has demonstrated the system's ability to meet Navy requirements. The team overcame many challenges to get the system to this point and ensure its readiness to support CVN-78 and future Ford-class ships."

AAG is designed is designed to recover a broader range of aircraft, including UAVs, while reducing manpower and maintenance. It's powered by rotary engines that use simple energy-absorbing water turbines (or twisters) coupled to a large induction motor provide finer control of the arresting forces.

It was complex problems associated with these twisters that caused a four-year delay in the launch of the Ford.

In contrast, the current Mk-7 arresting system used aboard Nimitz-class carriers relies on hydraulics to slow and stop a landing aircraft and can damage a UAV on landing.

In July 2016, the U.S. Department of Defense's Inspector General issued an audit finding the AAG had far exceeded budgeted costs due to ineffective program management and expensive midstream redesigns.

"Ten years after the program entered the engineering and manufacturing development phase, the Navy has not been able to prove the capability or safety of the system to a level that would permit actual testing of the system on an aircraft carrier because of hardware failures and software challenges," said the audit report.

The Ford will be launched in April while the Kennedy is scheduled for launch in 2018.

TagsAdvanced Arresting Gear, AAG, USS Gerald R. Ford, USS John F. Kennedy, U.S. Navy, Naval Air Systems Command