The US Navy has conducted a groundbreaking ceremony for unmanned aerial systems testing infrastructure in New Jersey.
The US Navy has conducted a groundbreaking ceremony for unmanned aerial systems testing infrastructure in New Jersey.
The Runway Arrested Landing Site will be utilized to trial and develop the Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS), Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System, and similar technologies used to launch the MQ-25 Stingray drone and other autonomous airborne vehicles.
The center will also have testing components for steam catapults and arresting gears installed on the navy’s legacy aircraft carriers.
In the future, the runway will be integrated with modern capabilities such as the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System and Advanced Arresting Gear aboard the newer Ford-class carriers.
Additionally, the site will incorporate a device built for gathering and consolidating temporary aircraft data during live tests.
Once completed, the in-field laboratory will be supervised by the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft (NAWCAD) Lakehurst Division in coordination with the Unmanned Carrier Aviation and Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment Program Offices.
“This groundbreaking represents a significant step forward in Lakehurst’s ability to complete the initial carrier suitability testing for one of the Navy’s major North Star programs in the MQ-25,” NAWCAD Lakehurst Officer-in-Charge Cmdr. Adam Pawlak remarked at the event.
The US Navy and Boeing conducted ground testing of the MQ-25 Stingray at Chambers Field onboard Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. Image: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sam Jenkins/ US Navy