Donald Trump orders Navy to revert to steam catapults on future aircraft carriers

aircraft carriers steam catapults EMALS USS Doris Miller naval procurement

President Donald Trump has issued a national security memorandum directing the U.S. Navy to revert to older technologies for future aircraft carriers. Specifically, the directive mandates that the USS Doris Miller, the fourth Gerald R. Ford-class carrier, replace its Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and modern weapon elevators with steam-powered catapults and hydraulic systems.

The administration also seeks design changes to align with the President's aesthetic preferences, including potentially moving the multi-level command tower (island) toward the center of the hull to resemble World War II-era vessels. Additionally, the memorandum allows for certain foreign shipbuilders to temporarily construct up to two Navy ships at overseas facilities to address domestic capacity shortages and instructs the establishment of a fifth public naval shipyard.

Naval experts and contractors, including General Atomics, have warned that these reversals could lead to billions of dollars in cost increases, significant construction delays, and complex integration risks. The Navy is required to submit a detailed implementation plan within 60 days.

Entities

Department of Defense · Donald Trump · General Atomics · Hung Cao · Pentagon · Pete Hegseth · U.S. Navy · US Navy · USS Doris Miller

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] Work on the USS Doris Miller's catapults and arresting gear is approximately halfway complete. english.mathrubhumi.com · www.mandatory.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The EMALS system on the USS Gerald R. Ford reportedly reduced the number of sailors required for catapult operations from 12 to two. english.mathrubhumi.com
[● 24 SOURCES] The USS Doris Miller will be the first Ford-class carrier to undergo the redesign to steam and hydraulic systems. www.theguardian.com · www.arabnews.pk · english.mathrubhumi.com · www.timesnownews.com · www.mandatory.com · +17 more
[● 27 SOURCES] President Donald Trump issued a national security memorandum directing the Navy to return to steam catapults. libertyunyielding.com · srnnews.com · www.theguardian.com · www.arabnews.pk · english.mathrubhumi.com · +21 more
[● 16 SOURCES] The mandate to replace the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) will likely cost billions of dollars. libertyunyielding.com · srnnews.com · www.arabnews.pk · english.mathrubhumi.com · www.mandatory.com · +8 more
[● 8 SOURCES] China's newest aircraft carriers use electromagnetic catapults, and France plans to adopt the technology. www.arabnews.pk · srnnews.com · triblive.com · www.europesays.com · www.opex360.com
[● 24 SOURCES] The Pentagon and Navy must present plans to replace EMALS and electromagnetic weapons elevators within two months. srnnews.com · www.theguardian.com · www.arabnews.pk · english.mathrubhumi.com · www.timesnownews.com · +18 more
[● 11 SOURCES] The USS Gerald R. Ford, USS John F. Kennedy, and USS Enterprise will retain their electromagnetic systems. english.mathrubhumi.com · srnnews.com · www.arabnews.pk · fr.euronews.com · triblive.com · +4 more
[● 9 SOURCES] Nearly 50 percent of the electromagnetic launch system for the USS Doris Miller has already been manufactured. www.otz.de · www.abendblatt.de · www.tlz.de · www.mandatory.com · www.n-tv.de · +3 more
[● 14 SOURCES] The order requires the Department of Defense and the Navy to submit a plan for the conversion within 60 days. www.otz.de · www.abendblatt.de · www.tlz.de · www.mandatory.com · wtop.com · +9 more
[● 11 SOURCES] The shift back to steam technology could result in additional costs reaching billions of dollars. www.otz.de · www.abendblatt.de · www.tlz.de · www.europesays.com · libertyunyielding.com · +6 more
[● 27 SOURCES] Donald Trump has ordered the US Navy to revert to steam catapults for aircraft carriers. www.otz.de · www.abendblatt.de · www.tlz.de · www.mandatory.com · www.europesays.com · +22 more