US Armed Forces Society

An F-14 from VF-143 “Pukin’ Dogs” heads for Naval Station Roosevelt, Puerto Rico. That big nose, those swing wings, and a whole lot of Navy muscle at sundown. The Tomcat just looks good in this light.

Unlike what we've seen in recent times with F/A-18s and F-35Cs on aircraft carriers, in the past, fighter jets were attached to the catapult in a different way.

F-4 variants, the A4 Skyhawk, Super Etendard, Buccaneer, F-8, for example—aircraft like these were launched by being attached to the catapult with steel cables (bridles) connected to the fuselage.

The cables, launched with high momentum, were caught by the system located at the front of the aircraft carrier, also known as the Van Zelm. According to reports, the cost of these cables was around $1,200 during the Cold War period, and they could be reused only a certain number of times.

Nowadays, however, aircraft are launched by being attached to the catapult via the launch bar on the nose landing gear. Since this system is integrated into the aircraft, it's a more convenient and modern solution. Plus, it's cheaper and safer.

Intruder all bombed up waiting to strike Targets inside Iraq 🇮🇶 Gulf war.

An E-2C Hawkeye miss priscilla with the SUN KINGS 3JUN26 (uscc)