The US Navy launched its newest carrier today, and unlike the predecessors, this one doesn't use steam-powered catapults to launch aircraft - it's electromagnetics, now, much like railgun technology. It looks larger than previous carriers, but apparently that's an optical illusion, due to the placement of a taller and thinner command island, which now sits further aft. Very cool stuff.
For those who think big government's just great, consider this: our military has the best weapons on the planet - designed and built by private corporations - and employed by volunteer citizens.