President Donald Trump directed the Pentagon to replace the electromagnetic launch system on the upcoming USS Doris Miller with traditional steam catapults, sparking criticism from the defense industry and lawmakers.

Key Takeaways

  • Trump orders steam catapults for USS Doris Miller
  • Pentagon given 60 days to draft a replacement plan
  • Manufacturer General Atomics warns of cost and schedule risks

Order Details

President Donald Trump signed a national security memorandum on Thursday directing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao to replace the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) on the Ford‑class carrier USS Doris Miller with traditional steam‑powered catapults and hydraulic elevators. The move reflects Trump’s long‑standing preference for steam catapults, a stance he first voiced in a 2017 interview with Time magazine.

Historical Background

Steam‑based catapults powered U.S. carriers from the World War II era until the early 2000s, when the Navy began transitioning to electric and later electromagnetic launch systems. EMALS promises faster launch cycles, reduced wear, and lower maintenance, but Trump has repeatedly called the digital system “complicated” and “expensive,” arguing that steam can be fixed with a hammer and a blowtorch.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that reverting to steam catapults could inflate the carrier’s cost by hundreds of millions, delay its commissioning, and set a precedent for future naval procurement decisions, potentially undermining decades of technological investment.

"Switching back to steam catapults would reverse years of innovation and likely increase lifecycle costs," says naval engineer Dr. Aisha Rahman.

Reactions and Implications

The Wall Street Journal reports senior Navy and industry officials are resisting the order, citing the massive expense and schedule disruption required to remove EMALS, a system integral to the latest carrier designs. General Atomics, the contractor behind EMALS, noted that the ship is roughly 50 % complete and that changing course now would introduce “significant cost, schedule, and integration risks.”

Did You Know?

Did You Know?: The first electric catapult was tested on USS Gerald R. Ford in 2017, but full operational integration remains a challenge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Are steam catapults actually faster than electromagnetic ones?

A: Steam catapults can be simpler to maintain, but EMALS generally provides quicker launch cycles and greater reliability.

Q2: How much delay could this order cause for the USS Doris Miller?

A: Experts estimate a 12‑18 month delay, potentially adding $2‑3 billion to the program’s budget.