The launchers were loaded, the engines were brought to maximum power and a new generation of carrier defense was ushered in on the flight deck of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike).

Ike is the testing carrier for Nulka, a ship self-defense system that's been present on smaller ships for years and just underwent its first phase of testing.

Nulka is a joint U.S./Australian system that derives its name from an Aborigine word which means "be quick."

The system fires a rocket-propelled round from the launcher, which draws enemy fire away from the ship. Since the physical set up of a carrier is unlike that of other ships, great lengths are being taken to make sure the system will function properly.

"This ship is very different than a small boy, so we had to figure out how we we're going to handle these rounds over the side using cranes and different methods than they've had to use in the past," explained Lt. Laura Cox, Ike's information warfare officer. "During those tests we realized that the launchers would be exposed to the turning aircraft and that's what brought us to the thermal testing."

The thermal testing consisted of parking an F/A-18 Super Hornet with its exhaust pointed towards the launchers and cranking the fighter's engine up to test how both the launcher and the round inside would react to extreme heat. The tests were a large scale effort that involved many moving parts, including cranes, fighters and thermal testers.

"It took a lot of coordination with the squadrons to get the aircraft," Cox said. "We also got civilians and contractors from a program office for Nulka on board to do the testing and bring all their gear on board."

The testing took place over several days and started early in the morning. First, a group of Sailors using a crane had the shipping containers lowered onto the Nulka platform so that the test canisters could be loaded into the launchers. Next, the fighter was towed to positions in front of the launcher. Finally, the fighter continually increased its engine power, until hitting the limit, as thermal readings were collected. Ultimately the tests were successful, proving Nulka could stand the heat. It also proved how well different departments around the ship could work together.

"The support OS division and the civilians received from all of Air department was unsurpassed," Cox said. "Additional support and coordination from AIMD, Media, Navigation, Security and Weapons were amazing and we couldn't have done this testing without them. To say I am thankful would be an understatement."

With this stage of testing complete, sights are turned to the future of Nulka on the ship.

"We'll do test launches soon," Cox asserted. "We'll bring on and load the rounds and make sure everything that looked good on a computer diagram stays true and that we're not putting any aircraft in danger, or any FOD on the deck. That way, the right people know what they're doing if we ever have to use this defense."

The Ike will continue to lead the way in carrier Nulka testing.

For more news from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), visit www.navy.mil/.