Summary (tl;dr)

Former President Donald Trump has issued a directive ordering the U.S. Navy to revert to traditional steam catapult technology for launching aircraft on future aircraft carriers, abandoning the advanced Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) used on newer vessels, despite significant opposition and potential costs.

Essential Background

For decades, U.S. aircraft carriers relied on steam catapults, which use superheated steam to launch jets from the flight deck. While proven and reliable, these systems have drawbacks, including less precise control and higher stress on aircraft. More recently, the U.S. Navy developed and began implementing the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) on its new Gerald R. Ford-class carriers, such as the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). EMALS uses electromagnetic force for a smoother, more controlled launch, capable of handling a wider range of aircraft with less wear and tear, and is more efficient than steam catapults. However, EMALS has faced reliability challenges and has not yet met its operational targets, drawing criticism.

The Full Story

The keywords are trending because former President Donald Trump recently issued a presidential memorandum directing the U.S. Navy to cease using the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) on upcoming Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers, specifically mandating a return to steam catapults for the planned USS Doris Miller. This order follows Trump's long-standing public disapproval of the EMALS system, which he has criticized for its reliability issues on the USS Gerald R. Ford. The decision has generated considerable pushback from senior U.S. Navy officials and defense contractors, who argue that reversing course at this stage would incur immense costs, necessitate extensive redesigns, and introduce significant delays and risks to the shipbuilding program. General Atomics, the developer of EMALS, has stated that moving away from the system would have broader implications for carrier readiness and U.S. technological superiority.

Why It Matters

This directive is significant because it could lead to hundreds of millions of dollars in additional costs and substantial redesign efforts for the U.S. Navy's next-generation aircraft carriers. Critics of the order argue that reverting to older technology could undermine the Navy's advanced capabilities, potentially giving adversaries like China (which is deploying electromagnetic catapults on its newest carriers) an advantage in naval technology. The controversy also highlights a fundamental debate within defense procurement: whether to prioritize the established reliability of older systems or invest in cutting-edge, albeit initially challenging, technological advancements for future military superiority.

Geographic Location

• Washington, D.C., District of Columbia, United States (Presidential order issued regarding aircraft carrier catapults)
• Newport News, Newport News City, Virginia, United States (Location of Newport News Shipbuilding, where Ford-class carriers are built and would be impacted by redesign)
• San Diego, San Diego County, California, United States (Headquarters of General Atomics, developer of EMALS, impacted by the decision)