Vehicles violently thrown into the water by the US Navy.
The US Navy is testing a new launch system for its next aircraft carrier, the USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79).
Heavy rolling machines are loaded onto catapults and then projected into the James River.
Objective: achieve more precise and smoother launches.
The weight of these rather unusual “cars” can reach up to 36 tonnes, for a launch speed of nearly 240 km/h.
Read also Missing submarine: the US Navy detected the sound of an explosion or implosion on Sunday
The first dead weights used for these tests were signed by the families of the manufacturers.
The “cars” thrown into the water are then recovered and relaunched until the end of the test program.
“The first launch from the flight deck is a historic moment for the USS John F. Kennedy.
I am especially proud of our air department and the boatswain’s mates who have worked tirelessly,” said Captain Colin Day, commanding officer of the USS John F. Kennedy.
The aircraft carrier has been under construction since 2011. Its delivery is scheduled for 2025.