‘Very outdated’: Trump’s directive to revert to steam catapults on new aircraft carrier baffles naval experts

Trump Orders Return to Steam Catapults for New Carrier, Sparking Debate Among Naval Experts

Earthguardiansonline.com – The White House has issued a significant directive to the United States Navy, ordering a reversal of modernization efforts on one of its newest aircraft carriers. Rather than continuing with the advanced electromagnetic launch system, the administration wants to return to the traditional steam-powered catapult technology. This decision could add billions of dollars to the carrier’s construction costs and push its entry into service well into the late 2030s.

According to a memorandum and accompanying fact sheet released on Thursday, the order requires Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to develop and submit a comprehensive implementation plan within sixty days. The carrier in question, currently under construction, will bear the name USS Doris Miller. While White House officials maintain that this policy shift addresses fundamental long-term problems in naval shipbuilding and repair programs, many seasoned experts view the move as highly unconventional.

Technical Reversal: Electromagnetic vs. Steam Technology

The most recent American aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, represents a technological leap forward with its electromagnetic aircraft launch system, commonly referred to as EMALS. This modern approach operates on principles similar to high-speed rail trains, creating a smoother and more reliable launch mechanism. Bryan Clark, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, explained that the electromagnetic system contains fewer moving parts compared to its steam counterpart. The older steam catapults rely on numerous components including valves, pressure regulators, and pistons that require regular maintenance and monitoring.

The electromagnetic ones have proven themselves to be easier to operate and less expensive in terms of personnel and maintenance. So the Navy has saved $100 million a year on the Ford class carrier.

Despite these advantages, the administration’s decision to revert to steam technology has raised eyebrows throughout the naval community. The United States Navy currently operates ten older Nimitz-class carriers that continue to depend on steam-powered catapults, while the Ford-class represents the future of carrier aviation.

Financial and Timeline Implications

Redesigning the USS Doris Miller to accommodate steam catapults will require substantial financial investment. Clark estimated that the additional costs will likely reach into the billions of dollars. Furthermore, the carrier’s expected deployment date, originally projected for around 2034, could be pushed back until the end of the next decade. This delay has significant implications for American naval power projection capabilities during a period of increasing global competition.

The logistical challenges extend beyond mere redesign costs. The American shipbuilding industry has largely moved away from producing steam catapults. Chris Cavas, a veteran journalist and podcast host specializing in naval affairs, noted that the Navy previously manufactured these systems in-house but has not produced new steam catapults since the George H.W. Bush carrier entered service in 2009. The infrastructure and expertise required for production have essentially disappeared.

Nobody builds them anymore. There’s no steam catapult manufacturers in the US anymore so they’d have to restart that production line, which would cost tens of millions of dollars to get going and that’ll be, it’ll take years to start that up again and build the first catapult.

Political and Expert Reactions

President Trump has maintained a consistent position on this technological debate for several years. During the Defense and Innovation Summit held in July, he criticized the electromagnetic system as overly complex and difficult to maintain. He cited specific incidents where catapult failures required ships to return to port for repairs.

They’re not nearly as good, too complex. And by the way, we had to call the ship in twice because the catapults didn’t work. When a little water touches the magnets, it doesn’t work anymore. You’re – you’re in the Atlantic Ocean with waves that are 60 feet high, and the Pacific Ocean with waves at 70 feet high, and they’re talking about magnets.

However, experts like Cavas argue that the administration’s position reflects outdated thinking. Having personally experienced launches using both systems, Cavas emphasized that the electromagnetic technology provides a noticeably smoother operation that places less stress on aircraft during takeoff. This reduced stress translates to longer aircraft service life and potentially fewer maintenance requirements for naval aviation assets.

Democratic Senator Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain with extensive flight experience, voiced strong criticism of the directive on social media. Kelly highlighted his credentials as a test pilot and aeronautical engineering graduate, suggesting that the president’s intervention in technical naval matters may not be warranted.

I’ve launched off the front of aircraft carriers hundreds of times, have a Master’s degree in aeronautical engineering, and am a test pilot and even I wouldn’t suggest to the Navy how to engineer specific systems on its ships. Donald Trump should stick to what he knows best — ballrooms, bankruptcy, and bullshit.

Broader Strategic Concerns

The combination of the USS Doris Miller’s potential delay and the ongoing retirement schedule of Nimitz-class carriers creates a concerning scenario for American naval capabilities. Clark warned that the United States could face a significant shortfall in carrier capacity during the coming decade. This gap could impact America’s ability to project power globally and respond to emerging threats across multiple theaters of operation.

General Atomics, the company responsible for manufacturing EMALS systems for the USS Gerald R. Ford, was also slated to provide the electromagnetic catapults for the USS Doris Miller. The company has been contacted for additional commentary regarding the potential impact of this policy reversal on its contracts and operations.

As the Navy begins evaluating how to implement this unexpected technological step backward, the full scope of implications remains to be seen. The decision represents not merely a change in equipment specifications, but a fundamental shift in how the United States approaches carrier construction and modernization in an era when technological advancement has been the primary driver of naval capability improvements.