How a Carrier Launches a Jet in 2 Seconds

In just two seconds, a carrier catapult throws a 20-ton fighter jet from zero to about 260 km/h. Here's the hidden machine under the deck that makes it happen. Chapters 0:00 Two seconds to 260 km/h 0:14 The runway problem 0:36 Why not a bigger engine? 0:59 What's under the deck 1:22 Hooking up the jet 1:43 Full power, standing still 2:07 Where the force comes from 2:23 Setting the weight 2:53 The cold cat 3:26 The signal 3:42 The two seconds (slow motion) 4:02 Who's flying? 4:37 Stopping the pistons 4:54 The horns on the bow 5:29 The colors of the deck 5:59 The steam problem 6:19 100 years of launching planes 6:46 The future: magnets 7:17 What's underneath Original 3D animation by The Cutaway Room. Subscribe for more machines taken apart:    / @thecutawayroom   Music: YouTube Audio Library 3D models: F/A-18E model by ioai25312 (Sketchfab), CC BY 4.0 USS Nimitz model by MirzaArrafiERV_45 (Sketchfab), CC BY 4.0