Maximum takeoff weight in the context of "Aerial refueling"

An electromagnetic catapult is a type of aircraft catapult that uses a linear induction motor system rather than the single-acting pneumatic cylinder (piston) system in conventional steam catapults. The system is used on aircraft carriers to launch fixed-wing carrier-based aircraft, employing the principles of electromagnetism and Lorentz force to accelerate and assist their takeoff from the shorter flight deck runways. Currently, only the United States and China have successfully developed electromagnetic catapults, which are installed on the Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers (currently only the lead ship CVN-78 being operational), the Type 003 aircraft carrier Fujian and the upcoming Type 076 amphibious assault ship Sichuan (51).

Electromagnetic catapults have several advantages over their older, superheated steam-based counterparts. Electromagnetic operation recharges via electric energy and thus much faster than the pressurization process of steam systems, and does not suffer power loss with distance (where volume expansion within the steam catapult cylinder proportionally reduces pressure), temperature changes (which directly affects pressure according to ideal gas law) and leakages (which matters in pressure vessels but is irrelevant in electromagnet systems). The electromagnetic acceleration is also more uniform (unlike steam acceleration, whose accelerative force is always highest at the very initial phase, thus creating a distinct "jolt"), therefore reducing the stress upon the airframe considerably, resulting in increased safety and endurance as well as lower maintenance costs for the aircraft. Electromagnetic catapults are configurable and can assign varying power outputs to different sections, thus allowing them to tailor optimal acceleration to individual aircraft according to different payload weights and takeoff behaviours. Electromagnetic systems are more compact and also weigh less, have fewer linkage components and thus are expected to cost less and require less maintenance, and also require no fresh water boiling for their operation, thus reducing the need for energy-intensive desalination and sophisticated piping systems used in steam catapults, which take up significantly more space below the flight deck.

The Boeing 747-400 is a large, long-range wide-body airliner produced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes, as an advanced version of the original Boeing 747.The model was first introduced as the Advanced Series 300 was announced at the September 1984 Farnborough Airshow, targeting a 10% cost reduction with more efficient engines and 1,000 nautical miles [nmi] (1,900 km; 1,200 mi). Northwest Airlines became the launch customer with an order for ten aircraft on October 22, 1985. The first 747-400 was rolled out on January 26, 1988, made its maiden flight on April 29, 1988, received type certification on January 9, 1989, and entered service with Northwest a month later on February 9, 1989.

It retains the 747 airframe, including the 747-300 stretched upper deck, with 6-foot (1.8 m) winglets. The 747-400 offers a choice of improved turbofans: the Pratt & Whitney PW4000, General Electric CF6-80C2 or Rolls-Royce RB211-524G/H. Its two-crew glass cockpit dispenses with the need for a flight engineer. It typically accommodates 416 passengers in a three-class layout over a 7,285 nmi (13,492 km; 8,383 mi) range with its 875,000-pound (397 t) maximum takeoff weight (MTOW).

In aviation, assisted takeoff is any external system for helping aircraft (more specifically fixed-wing aircraft) to become airborne (take off) for flight, as opposed to doing so conventionally using strictly their own propulsion. The reasons assistance might be needed include: the combined weight of the aircraft and its payloads exceeding the maximum takeoff weight; insufficient engine power by design or malfunction, insufficient available runway length (such as on the flight deck of an aviation warship), or a combination of the above. Assisted takeoff is also required for gliders, which do not have any engine and thus are unable to propel themselves for takeoffs.

The Boeing 757 is an American narrow-body airliner designed and built by Boeing Commercial Airplanes.The then-named 7N7, a twinjet successor for the trijet 727, received its first orders in August 1978.The prototype completed its maiden flight on February 19, 1982, and it was FAA certified on December 21, 1982.Eastern Air Lines placed the initial 757-200 variant in commercial service on January 1, 1983.A package freighter (PF) variant entered service in September 1987 and a combi model in September 1988.The stretched 757-300 was launched in September 1996 and began service in March 1999. After 1,050 had been built for 54 customers, production ended in October 2004, while Boeing offered the largest 737 Next Generation variants as a successor to the -200.

The jetliner is powered by 36,600–43,500 lbf (163–193 kN) Rolls-Royce RB211 or Pratt & Whitney PW2000 underwing turbofan engines for a 255,000–273,000 lb (116–124 t) maximum takeoff weight (MTOW).The 757 has a 2,000 sq ft (185 m) supercritical wing for reduced aerodynamic drag and a conventional tail.It keeps the 707 fuselage width and six–abreast seating and its two-crew glass cockpit has a common type rating with the concurrently designed 767 (a wide-body aircraft).It was produced in two fuselage lengths: the 155 ft (47.3 m) long 757-200 (the most popular with 913 built) typically seats 200 passengers in two classes over 3,915 nautical miles [nmi] (7,250 km; 4,505 mi); while the 178 ft (54.4 m) long 757-300 typically seats 243 over 3,400 nmi (6,295 km; 3,900 mi).The 757-200F can haul a 72,210 lb (32,755 kg) payload over 2,935 nmi (5,435 km; 3,378 mi).Passenger 757-200s have been modified for cargo use as the Special Freighter (SF) and the Precision Converted Freighter (PCF).