Catapultoutrigger

[Max Richter]

Hallo,

i noticed that on Nimitz-class-carriers some catapults have on the end
of the deck an overhanging outrigger. Other catapults on the same ship
don´t have it.
I think this thing has something to do with the older startmethod using
a sling of steelcable. But i am under the impression that this method
fell in disuse in the Navy, so why is it still there and only on some
spezial catapults on a ship.
Greetings
Max

[John Carrier]

They are there to absorb the slap of the bridle when the shuttle hits the
water brake. No need now that we're all nose-tow. But some of the ships
were built anticipating the need to bridle launch aircraft and they were
equipped with the catcher on cat 1.

R / John

"Max Richter" > wrote in message
...
> Hallo,
>
> i noticed that on Nimitz-class-carriers some catapults have on the end of
> the deck an overhanging outrigger. Other catapults on the same ship don´t
> have it.
> I think this thing has something to do with the older startmethod using a
> sling of steelcable. But i am under the impression that this method fell
> in disuse in the Navy, so why is it still there and only on some spezial
> catapults on a ship.
> Greetings
> Max
>