# US Navy aircraft carrier redesign and renaming controversy > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-navy-aircraft-carrier-launch-system-redesign > Updated: 2026-08-20T23:00:11.000Z. Sources: 76. Developments: 5. President Donald Trump has issued a national security memorandum and executive order directing the U.S. Navy to replace the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and electromagnetic weapons elevators on the USS Doris Miller (CVN-81) with traditional steam and hydraulic systems. The White House cited budget overruns and complexity as justifications, with the President describing EMALS as “expensive and inefficient.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao are tasked with presenting a transition plan within 60 days. Beyond propulsion, the memorandum includes instructions for design changes to align with the President’s aesthetic preferences, such as potentially relocating the command tower toward the center of the hull. Critics, including Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), warn the move could result in billions of dollars in costs and major construction delays. Because steam catapults have not been produced for nearly three decades, manufacturing hurdles are expected, potentially delaying the carrier's delivery from 2034 into the late 2030s. In addition to the technical redesign, internal discussions reported by CNN indicate the Navy is considering renaming the vessel to honor Donald Trump. This would be unprecedented, as no U.S. aircraft carrier has been named after a sitting president. While the Navy considers the name change, officials are reportedly weighing the possibility of assigning Doris Miller’s name to a different warship and recommending him for the Medal of Honor. Miller’s family has expressed shock at the potential renaming, noting they were not informed by the Navy. ## Claims - The USS Gerald R. Ford, USS John F. Kennedy, and USS Enterprise will retain their electromagnetic systems. (disputed by 11 sources) - The plan involves replacing EMALS and modern elevators on the USS Doris Miller with steam catapults and hydraulic systems. (disputed by 7 sources) - The mandate to replace the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) will likely cost billions of dollars. (corroborated by 16 sources) - The USS George Washington is being moved from the Pacific to the Middle East to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln. (corroborated by 16 sources) - The USS Abraham Lincoln's deployment was extended beyond its original May return date. (corroborated by 14 sources) - The Trump administration's focus on the Middle East and Western Hemisphere contradicts its stated priority of the Pacific region. (corroborated by 13 sources) - The absence of a U.S. carrier in the Pacific allows China to project strength and influence to regional allies like Japan and the Philippines. (corroborated by 13 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-20: US Navy considers renaming Doris Miller aircraft carrier for Donald Trump The US Navy is considering renaming a Ford-class aircraft carrier from the USS Doris Miller to honor Donald Trump, while also mandating a shift from electromagnetic to steam-powered catapult systems. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-navy-considers-renaming-doris-miller-aircraft-carrier-for-trump ### 2026-08-19: Trump executive order directs Navy to return to steam-powered aircraft catapults An executive order by President Trump to replace electromagnetic catapults with steam power on U.S. aircraft carriers faces criticism over potential multi-billion dollar costs and fleet readiness risks. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/trump-executive-order-directs-navy-to-return-to-steam-powered-aircraft-catapults ### 2026-08-16: Donald Trump orders return to steam catapults for USS Doris Miller President Trump has ordered the USS Doris Miller to use traditional steam catapults instead of electromagnetic systems, prompting assessments from the Pentagon and French defense officials. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/donald-trump-orders-return-to-steam-catapults-for-uss-doris-miller ### 2026-08-14: Trump orders shift to steam systems for new US aircraft carrier President Trump has ordered the replacement of electromagnetic launch systems on the CVN-81 aircraft carrier with steam systems, while Israel's Defense Minister moves to transfer West Bank civil enforcement to' 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/trump-orders-shift-to-steam-systems-for-new-us-aircraft-carrier ### 2026-08-13: Donald Trump orders Navy to revert to steam catapults on future aircraft carriers President Trump has ordered the U.S. Navy to replace electromagnetic launch systems with steam catapults on the future USS Doris Miller and explore design changes to match WWII-era aesthetics. 62 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/donald-trump-orders-navy-to-replace-jet-launch-systems-with-steam-catapults --- Cite as: US Navy aircraft carrier redesign and renaming controversy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-navy-aircraft-carrier-launch-system-redesign