The Navy is preparing to launch the first ship-board tests of a new Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System designed to replace steam catapults and propel fighter jets and other aircraft off the deck of an aircraft carrier, service officials said.
“In June, we’ll start shooting dead loads into the James River. The ship is pointed bow out. It will be the first time in 60-years that we have shot something off a ship using something other than a steam catapult,” said Rear Adm. Thomas Moore, Program Executive Officer, Carriers.
via Navy Prepares to Fire an Electromagnetic Aircraft Catapult on New Carrier | Defense Tech.
I think it would be kinda fun to watch them shooting dead loads into the river.
The navy actually builds special weighted platforms on wheels, dollies, I guess you could call them, that can be set to a specific weight. I suppose they use water as ballast.
That’s former President George H. W. Bush serving as Shooter for the first deadload on the carrier that bears his name.
XBradTC 
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