While the U.S. has taken part in previous iterations of the military exercise, this year's U.S. footprint was smaller as allied nations are pressed by the Trump administration to put more into European defense.
Yes, most other countries’ aircraft carriers are diesel-powered and don’t have the energy budget to run steam (or electromagnetic) catapults the way the US’ nuclear-powered carriers do, so they use ski jumps instead and make do with lighter aircraft.
For more info, look up “CATOBAR” and “STOBAR”. Edit: or “STOVL” in the case of the carrier pictured, the HMS Prince of Wales.
Wait, is that jet really about to bust a sweet jump off that ramp?
Yes, most other countries’ aircraft carriers are diesel-powered and don’t have the energy budget to run steam (or electromagnetic) catapults the way the US’ nuclear-powered carriers do, so they use ski jumps instead and make do with lighter aircraft.
For more info, look up “CATOBAR” and “STOBAR”. Edit: or “STOVL” in the case of the carrier pictured, the HMS Prince of Wales.