GoPro Catapult launch

[This_person]

[video=youtube;mzB3UOTZXiA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=mzB3UOTZXiA[/video]
NEWPORT NEWS, Va., June 17 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy tested out the electromagnetic catapult for launching aircraft from the carrier USS Gerald Ford by using it to fling a GoPro camera at 160 mph.

The test video, shared on YouTube by shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries, shows the catapult's-eye-view as the camera is flung into the water at 160 mph.

Susan Ford Bales, President Gerald Ford's daughter, gave the launch signal for the test.

 

[This_person]

The Navy previously shared video of the catapult being tested from other angles.
[video=youtube;rOijb3JPCe4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rOijb3JPCe4[/video]

 

[blacklabman]

I don't think the ship is a USS until it has undergone sea trials, passed, and is commissioned.

 

[This_person]

I don't think the ship is a USS until it has undergone sea trials, passed, and is commissioned.

I believe you are correct. Please forgive the reporter.

 

[blacklabman]

I believe you are correct. Please forgive the reporter.

By the way, those things are called dead-loads. They launch various weights from all four cats at various launch speeds. The dudes at Lakehurst take that data and prepare a performance chart. Subsequent trials using PAX aircraft (at sea) update the charts prior to Fleet operations. Been there many times.

 

[nutz]

Strapping your ass to a rocket is scary enough. Placing the rocket onto a catapult and then trying to land that rocket back on a rocking and rolling platform, that takes something I don't have. Those pilot's deserve our utmost respect.

 

[This_person]

By the way, those things are called dead-loads. They launch various weights from all four cats at various launch speeds. The dudes at Lakehurst take that data and prepare a performance chart. Subsequent trials using PAX aircraft (at sea) update the charts prior to Fleet operations. Been there many times.

I was below you, giving you the steam....

I think the EMALS is pretty amazing, and that was why I posted this link/video at all. They went through a lot of work to make this a viable option, including a redesign of the electrical distribution system. The difference to the pilot and airframe is likely to be as drastic as when they went to the fat cats.

 

[GURPS]

I dunno ... but I guess if there is steam for the Catapult, there is steam to generate electric for the LEM

 

[This_person]

I dunno ... but I guess if there is steam for the Catapult, there is steam to generate electric for the LEM

EMALS is electronic. No steam.

When they're building the ship, the steam is supplied from off-hull for cat testing anyway.

 

[GURPS]

EMALS is electronic. No steam.

yes ... I was opining on the changing times ... steam vs LEM

 

[DoWhat]

EMALS is electronic. No steam.

When they're building the ship, the steam is supplied from off-hull for cat testing anyway.

Electromagnetic

 

[This_person]

yes ... I was opining on the changing times ... steam vs LEM

Do you mean LIM?

Yes, steam still for electrical generation. Much higher voltage than ever used before, and lots of room to grow.