[martyvis]

But the catapult isn't for saving on energy that needs to be carried on the aircraft. It's simply that you can't build engines and propulsion systems on a plane with the desired takeoff weight when you have as short a runway as you do on an aircraft carrier

[sokoloff]

Regardless of the underlying driver to implement it, we've solved some of the concerns that GP mentions for ground-assist launches, so there is a body of experience/work we can easily build upon.

[sitkack]

It is the same thing. The high power for takeoff shortens the runway from 7km to 400m.

We could do the same thing with cars and equip them with a super aerodynamic body and a 7kw engine, it could do 80kph.