Navy tests new aircraft carrier catapult

Aircraft carriers could always use a little more room to make take off easier.

The Navy has been helping itself with steam powered catapults for a while but the USS Ford has just installed an electromagnetic catapult and they want to make sure it works so they hooked up four-ton carts and lobbed them into the water.

The new system will be more durable, more reliable and it will work with all types of planes - from light unmanned craft to heavy strike fighters. Which is great, we want the people serving our country to be as safe as possible and to have the tools they need to get the job done.

It's just funny that if you work in the Navy you'll get new equipment that includes catapults. If you work as a civilian you get new equipment - like coffee makers.

Photos of the christening of the USS Ford in 2013: