President Donald Trump ordered the U.S. Navy to replace the advanced launch systems on its newest aircraft carriers with older steam-powered technology. The order requires the removal of the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) currently used on the Gerald R. Ford-class carriers.
The president has previously expressed a preference for steam catapults, which were used on prior generations of aircraft carriers. The Navy's newest class of carriers was designed to use the electromagnetic system to launch fighter jets more efficiently and with less strain on the aircraft.
The transition back to steam technology is expected to cost several billion dollars. The specific timeline for the equipment removal and the technical process for retrofitting the nuclear-powered vessels were not detailed in the report.
For sailors and flight deck crews, the change marks a shift in day-to-day operations from digital electromagnetic controls back to mechanical steam-based systems. This will require changes to training protocols and maintenance schedules for thousands of personnel assigned to these vessels. The move also impacts the manufacturing sector, as contractors must shift production from newer electromagnetic components to older steam catapult designs.
The long-term impact involves potential delays in carrier deployments and changes to future naval architecture. By reverting to older technology, the Navy may face increased maintenance requirements associated with steam systems. The effective date of the order and the specific dates for ship retrofitting are not yet known. Following this order, the Navy and the Department of Defense will likely begin developing engineering plans to implement the technology swap.