Trump orders US Navy to revert to steam catapults on aircraft carriers
Consensus Summary
Donald Trump ordered the US Navy to revert to steam-powered catapults on the USS Doris Miller, a Ford-class aircraft carrier, replacing the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS). The directive, issued in September, requires the Pentagon and Navy to submit plans within 60 days. Trump has long favored steam catapults, first criticizing EMALS in 2017, and the change will affect only the USS Doris Miller, leaving two other ships untouched. The decision comes amid ongoing debates over military funding, with Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth proposing a $US95 billion package. Both sources agree the USS Doris Miller’s EMALS work was already advanced, though they differ slightly on completion percentages. The move also highlights the Navy’s struggle with 20,000 unfilled posts and the higher operational costs of steam systems, which require more sailors and maintenance. The USS Ford-class carriers, built over 25 years, face delays and budget overruns, with the USS Doris Miller already behind schedule according to the Guardian. The order has drawn resistance from industry leaders and military experts, who warn of significant cost and integration risks.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Donald Trump ordered the US Navy to remove the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and revert to steam catapults on the USS Doris Miller, a Ford-class aircraft carrier.
- The directive was issued on Thursday (September implied by ABC’s mention of September in budget context).
- The Pentagon and Navy have 60 days to present plans for the change.
- Trump has advocated for steam catapults since at least 2017, when he first criticized EMALS in Time magazine.
- The USS Doris Miller is the first Ford-class carrier to undergo the change, leaving two ships untouched.
- The EMALS system reduces the number of sailors required to operate catapults from about a dozen to two.
- The USS Ford-class carriers have about 20,000 unfilled posts across the fleet.
- Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth proposed a $US95 billion military funding package.
- The USS Doris Miller’s EMALS work was already halfway complete before the order.
- The USS Ford-class carriers were built over 25 years.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The memo also directs the replacement of the Ford-class carrier's electromagnetic weapons elevators.
- The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier will not undergo immediate changes.
- The war with Iran’s cost was estimated at $US 37.5 billion, with a $US 1.5 trillion defense budget proposed.
- The House narrowly adopted the $US 95 billion military funding package, but the Senate must act in September.
- The USS Ford launched and recovered aircraft at a higher rate than Nimitz-class ships in February.
- The USS Doris Miller is already two years behind schedule.
- Trump referenced the USS Abraham Lincoln’s mental health crisis among its 5,000 sailors and marines during the Iran war.
- Trump recalled building an aircraft carrier for $19bn in a 2026 speech.
- General Atomics stated the change warrants careful reconsideration, with work on the USS Doris Miller nearly 50% complete.
- Trump retold his steam catapult story annually from 2017 to 2025, including at CPAC, campaign events, and during Tulsi Gabbard’s swearing-in.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC states the USS Doris Miller’s EMALS work was 'halfway complete,' while the Guardian says it was 'nearly 50% complete.'
- ABC mentions the USS Gerald R. Ford will not undergo immediate changes, but the Guardian does not reference it.
- The Guardian specifies the USS Doris Miller is 'two years behind schedule,' while ABC does not mention this delay.
- ABC notes the USS Ford’s February press release touted EMALS’ efficiency, but the Guardian does not reference this timeline.
Source Articles
Trump orders navy to revert to steam-powered fighter launching system
Donald Trump orders the US Navy to remove the system used to launch fighter jets from its newest type of aircraft carrier and return to using older steam catapults.
Trump orders Pentagon to redesign US aircraft carrier to use steam catapults to launch jets
President has suggested steam catapults every year since 2017, saying digital systems are too ‘complicated’ After nearly a decade of loudly complaining about the fact that modern US aircraft carriers use electromagnetic systems to launch fighter jets instead of steam-powered catapults, Donald Trump has directed the Pentagon to redesign a new aircraft carrier to replace the modern system with the old-fashioned catapults he prefers. Trump signed a national security memorandum on Thursday directing