By Dan Kedmey
The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded a $737 million contract to the maker of a new aircraft catapult system after conducting a successful and eye-catching test run aboard the carrier Gerald R. Ford.
The Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System, designed by General Atomics, flings aircraft into the sky using electromagnetic power, a significant improvement over the steam-powered catapults currently in use by the Navy, according to defense officials.
The catapult allows for smoother acceleration and can launch a wider range of vehicles, such as lightweight drones. “It gives us a lot of flexibility from a warfighting standpoint,” Rear Adm. Michael Manazir told USNI News.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Why Biden Dropped Out
- Ukraine’s Plan to Survive Trump
- The Rise of a New Kind of Parenting Guru
- The Chaos and Commotion of the RNC in Photos
- Why We All Have a Stake in Twisters’ Success
- 8 Eating Habits That Actually Improve Your Sleep
- Welcome to the Noah Lyles Olympics
- Get Our Paris Olympics Newsletter in Your Inbox
Contact us at letters@time.com