US Navy’s aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) returned to Norfolk April 26 following the field-testing of the Navy’s new Maritime Augmented Guidance with Integrated Controls for Carrier Approach and Recovery Precision Enabling Technologies (MAGIC CARPET) software.
The crew also conducted carrier qualification (CQ) operations and the offload of ordnance to the Military Sealift Command dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS William McLean (T-AKE 12).
Lt. Cmdr. Dan Marzluff, assistant air operations officer, said:
This underway marked the first use of the MAGIC CARPET technology on an aircraft carrier. This software greatly reduces misses and wave-offs, which translates into more time on-mission and makes us an overall more effective force.
MAGIC CARPET software is designed for F/A-18E/F/G aircraft that automatically adjusts the jet’s speed and angle of attack in relation to the intended landing surface. Initial tests of the system took place in early February at Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md.
George H.W. Bush also conducted CQs with the “Flying Eagles” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 122, the “Vikings” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129, the “Lancers” of VAQ-131, and the “Sharpshooters” of Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron (VMFAT) 101. This training prepares pilots in carrier-based launches and recoveries in a safer environment than a combat zone.
An ammunition offload took place day and night over a three day period, and despite the heightened sea state, the offload was completed on schedule.
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Image: US Navy