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Trump orders Navy to replace electromagnetic catapults with steam systems
President Donald Trump has issued a national security memorandum directing the U.S. Navy to abandon the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) in favor of traditional steam and hydraulic catapults. The directive requires the Pentagon and the Navy to submit plans within 60 days to implement this change on the USS Doris Miller, the fourth Ford-class aircraft carrier.
This decision marks a reversal of recent technological advancements in naval aviation. While EMALS was designed to be more efficient, requiring fewer sailors and less maintenance, Trump has long criticized the system as unreliable and overly complex. The move is expected to cost billions of dollars and cause significant construction delays, as the USS Doris Miller is already two years behind schedule and its catapult systems are reportedly halfway complete.
The mandate specifically targets the USS Doris Miller, leaving the USS Gerald R. Ford, USS John F. Kennedy, and USS Enterprise with their current electromagnetic systems. This shift comes as international competitors, including China and France, continue to adopt or develop electromagnetic launch technology for their own aircraft carriers.
Entities
Donald Trump · General Atomics · Pentagon · U.S. Navy · USS Doris Miller
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Work on the USS Doris Miller's catapults and arresting gear is approximately halfway complete. english.mathrubhumi.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
- [● 5 SOURCES] The USS Doris Miller will be the first Ford-class carrier to undergo the redesign to steam and hydraulic systems. wtop.com · www.theguardian.com · www.arabnews.pk · english.mathrubhumi.com · www.timesnownews.com
- [● 10 SOURCES] President Donald Trump issued a national security memorandum directing the Navy to return to steam catapults. libertyunyielding.com · wtop.com · srnnews.com · www.theguardian.com · www.arabnews.pk · +5 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] The mandate to replace the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) will likely cost billions of dollars. libertyunyielding.com · wtop.com · srnnews.com · www.arabnews.pk · english.mathrubhumi.com · +1 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] China's newest aircraft carriers use electromagnetic catapults, and France plans to adopt the technology. wtop.com · www.arabnews.pk · www.independent.co.uk
- [● 8 SOURCES] The Pentagon and Navy must present plans to replace EMALS and electromagnetic weapons elevators within two months. wtop.com · srnnews.com · www.theguardian.com · www.arabnews.pk · english.mathrubhumi.com · +3 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] The USS Gerald R. Ford, USS John F. Kennedy, and USS Enterprise will retain their electromagnetic systems. wtop.com · english.mathrubhumi.com · www.independent.co.uk