President Trump has directed the U.S. Navy to remove electromagnetic aircraft launch systems from Ford-class carriers and return to using traditional steam catapults.
Key facts
- •President Trump issued the directive to the Navy and Pentagon on Thursday.
- •The order mandates the removal of EMALS and electromagnetic weapons elevators on Ford-class carriers.
- •The USS Doris Miller is the first ship slated to receive the design changes.
- •The transition is expected to cost billions of dollars and increase the number of sailors required for operations.
- •Trump has previously criticized the electromagnetic system, stating it lacks the power of steam-driven technology.
President Trump issued a memo on Thursday directing the U.S. Navy to remove the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) from its newest aircraft carriers. The directive mandates a return to older steam-powered catapult technology, a system Trump has frequently criticized. The order also requires the replacement of electromagnetic weapons elevators on the Ford-class ships.
Implementation and Scope
The directive instructs the Pentagon and the Navy to submit plans for the removal of the electromagnetic systems within two months. The USS Doris Miller, the fourth ship in the Ford-class, is designated as the first vessel to undergo these changes. The USS Gerald R. Ford, the USS John F. Kennedy, and the USS Enterprise will remain unaffected by this specific order.
Technical and Financial Implications
The mandate is expected to cost billions of dollars and involves redesigning ships that have already finalized their configurations. While Trump has argued that steam systems are more powerful, experts and officials note that the electromagnetic system allows for faster launch speeds, requires less space, and reduces the number of sailors needed for operation. The Navy has previously reported that EMALS reduced the number of sailors required to operate catapults from approximately a dozen to two.
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