Avoiding the World’s Largest Helicopter Carrier

“I am concerned about the EMALS program for the next aircraft carrier. As the Secretary knows well, I recently visited the production facility and was favorably impressed; however, failure of this one system to deliver on its promises means we are building the world’s largest helicopter carrier. I would like the Secretary to address what additional oversight and continuity of oversight he envisions for this program."

Seapower and Expeditionary Forces Subcommittee, Chairman Gene Taylor, Hearing on the Navy FY10 Budget Request for Shipbuilding Programs, May 15, 2024

Back in February I began hearing bad news from several places that EMALS was in serious trouble. The post was immediately attacked, because I apparently don't know anything about anything because I did not provide precise details of the problem. It is July, and EMALS has been widely reported as a problem both in Congressional hearings and in various media stories, and yet, still no precise details exactly what the EMALS problem is.

I have been critical of several freshman in the House this year, primarily accusing them of acting like freshman members of the House (parochial issues only). Apparently I missed graduation, as I was very pleased to come across this Chris Cavas article quoting questions from freshman Rep. Eric Massa (D-NY) (a 24-year retired Navy CDR SWO) discussing the EMALS problems.

"What happens if it doesn't work?" he [Eric Massa] asked.

"The technology now is critical to the ship," replied Architzel, who detailed the Navy's steps in reviewing the program but did not mention an EMALS alternative.

"I say again, what happens if it doesn't work?" asked Massa.

"We have every expectation that it will work," replied Architzel.

"With all due respect," Massa asked again, "what happens if it doesn't work?"

"With all candor, if that new system will not work … we will have to make sure it does work," Architzel said.

After noting that no similar system is in use by any navy, Massa, a former professional staffer on the House Armed Services Committee, spoke directly to Architzel, sitting only a few feet in front of him.

"I will state for the record that I was against the Navy shifting construction to the Ford class and taking such a large leap of technology," Massa declared. "I think it is a bridge too far with exceptionally high risk.

"I am exceptionally concerned about the inability to extract an answer to the simple question of what happens if it does not work. … the reality is, we have just bought the world's largest helicopter carrier."

You know, "world's largest helicopter carrier" is no longer just a phrase used once thanks to Rep Massa, now it is a slogan... and that is not good.

Speaking to a reporter after leaving the hearing, Massa noted his concern extended beyond the carrier program.

"This actually goes to a larger subset than just EMALS," Massa said. "Across the library of the Department of Defense, we have committed ourselves to taking leaps in the second and third generations of the next great technologies without any fallback positions.

"This is bigger than EMALS. This is about maintaining a carrier strike force that can answer the nation's requirements. We are already accepting an aberration … as to the number of carriers we can maintain on active duty by accepting the early retirement of the USS Enterprise. If [the future USS Gerald R. Ford] is delayed, it has exceptionally significant impacts on our carrier strike force.

"The fulcrum of delay is the electro-magnetic launching system," Massa continued. "The decision has been made to go to Las Vegas, put the Navy's life savings on the crap table, and roll the technological dice. We've never done this before."

Well sir, you were elected because previously elected officials had a really terrible record of oversight so far this decade, so it is only natural that you are going to take the sheets off the bed and discover a few dirty little secrets that tell the story of what business has been like prior to your election. For the Navy, given the state of shipbuilding, can you (or anyone) really say you are surprised? Until Congress, both the House and the Senate, develop some way of enforcing accountability into the system, nothing is likely to change.

Now back to EMALS for a second... since most of you didn't believe me back in February when I discussed the looming problem in EMALS no one else was discussing at the time, there is probably no point in believing me now when I suggest the yet to be publicly discussed Plan B may be just over the horizon.

Just saying...