Trump Orders Navy to Switch Carriers Back to Steam Catapults

President Donald J. Trump issued a directive on Thursday to the U.S. Navy to remove the electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) from the Ford‑class aircraft carriers and to return to the traditional steam‑powered catapults used on earlier carriers. The order specifically mentioned the USS Gerald R. Ford and other carriers in the class, instructing the service to phase out the newer technology and re‑install the older launch apparatus.

Defense officials and naval experts have warned that the reversal will drive up costs for the Navy. EMALS was developed to provide more precise, lower‑maintenance launches and to support heavier aircraft, and its removal would require additional retrofitting, training, and maintenance work. Analysts estimate that the change could add millions of dollars to the carriers’ operating budgets over the next decade.

The directive reflects Trump’s broader approach to military procurement, which has emphasized cost containment and the use of proven systems. Whether the Navy will comply with the order remains to be seen, but the decision is likely to spark debate within the Department of Defense over the long‑term implications for carrier capability and fiscal responsibility.