Why is Trump bringing steam catapults back to US aircraft carriers? Here’s what we know
Trump seeks Navy catapult system redesign, bringing older technology back to aircraft carriers. Image Source: The Economic Times
President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to develop a plan to replace modern electromagnetic aircraft launch systems with steam-powered catapults on a new US aircraft carrier, reviving a technology that dates back decades.
The directive, signed on Thursday, gives Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao 60 days to develop a plan for replacing the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Weapons Elevators with steam and hydraulic systems on the USS Doris Miller, a Ford-class aircraft carrier.
The order represents a significant change in direction for the US Navy’s latest generation of aircraft carriers, which were designed around newer electromagnetic technology.
Trump has repeatedly criticised EMALS since at least 2017, arguing that the system is unnecessarily complicated and expensive compared with traditional steam catapults.
What Did Trump Order the Pentagon to Do?
The national security memorandum directs Pentagon officials to examine the measures needed to replace EMALS and the associated advanced weapons elevator system with steam and hydraulic technology during construction of the USS Doris Miller.
The ship is already reported to be two years behind schedule, adding another challenge to the proposed redesign.
The order does not immediately mean that the aircraft carrier has been converted to steam technology. Instead, Pentagon officials have been given 60 days to develop a plan for making the change.
The decision could have major implications for the ship’s construction schedule, cost and engineering requirements.
Why Does Trump Want Steam Catapults Back?
Trump has criticised electromagnetic catapults for years.
His argument centres on the complexity and cost of the modern system. He has repeatedly recounted a conversation he says he had with a Navy officer about aircraft carrier launch technology.
In remarks dating back to 2017, Trump questioned why the Navy had moved from steam to what he called a “digital” system.
He has continued to raise the issue throughout his political career, including during campaign events and remarks to military personnel after returning to office.
Trump again discussed the issue at the Army War College last month, arguing that steam technology was preferable to the electromagnetic system.
His latest directive turns that long-running criticism into a formal Pentagon policy request.
What Is EMALS and How Does It Work?
The Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System, known as EMALS, is designed to launch aircraft from a carrier using electrical energy rather than steam.
The system generates a powerful magnetic field that moves a launch shuttle along the carrier’s deck, accelerating an aircraft until it reaches the speed needed for takeoff.
EMALS was developed for the US Navy’s Ford-class aircraft carriers and was introduced to replace the steam catapults used on previous generations of carriers.
The technology is intended to provide a more modern approach to aircraft launches while reducing some of the mechanical demands associated with traditional steam systems.
How Do Steam Catapults Work?
Steam catapults use high-pressure steam to push a shuttle along the carrier’s launch track, accelerating an aircraft to takeoff speed over a relatively short distance.
The technology has been used by the US Navy for decades and became the standard system for launching aircraft from carriers following the Second World War.
Unlike EMALS, steam catapults rely on a large mechanical and hydraulic infrastructure.
The Telegraph reported that the US Navy previously said EMALS could reduce overall costs and maintenance requirements while placing less stress on aircraft compared with steam technology.
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USS Doris Miller Redesign Could Be Expensive
The proposed redesign comes at a potentially difficult point in the construction of the USS Doris Miller.
According to the reports, General Atomics, the company responsible for the electromagnetic launch system used on Ford-class carriers, said production of the system on the new vessel is already nearly 50% complete.
The company warned that changing direction at this stage could create significant cost, schedule and integration risks.
The Guardian reported that senior Navy and industry officials had resisted the proposed change because removing a system integrated into the carrier’s design could be extremely expensive.
The reports did not provide a confirmed final price for Trump’s proposed redesign.
General Atomics Raises Concerns Over Trump’s Decision
General Atomics said Trump’s decision to abandon EMALS on the USS Doris Miller warrants “careful reconsideration.”
The company pointed to the progress already made on the system and warned that changing the design could disrupt construction.
The concern is not simply about removing one piece of equipment. Aircraft launch systems are integrated into the wider architecture of an aircraft carrier, meaning a change could affect construction, scheduling and other systems.
The precise financial impact will depend on the Pentagon’s 60-day assessment and any subsequent decision to implement the redesign.
Trump Has Criticised EMALS for Nearly a Decade
Trump’s opposition to electromagnetic catapults is not new.
The Guardian reported that he has repeatedly told variations of the same story about his concerns with the technology since 2017.
He discussed the issue in 2017 during an interview with Time magazine and returned to it in subsequent years, including at political events and military-related appearances.
After returning to the White House in 2025, Trump continued discussing steam catapults during public remarks.
His Thursday memorandum now gives Pentagon officials a formal deadline to work out how his preferred technology could be incorporated into the USS Doris Miller.
Senator Mark Kelly Criticises the Aircraft Carrier Order
The decision has also triggered criticism from Senator Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat, former astronaut and former test pilot.
Kelly argued that aircraft carrier engineering is highly specialised and questioned Trump’s decision to direct the Navy toward a specific technology.
He pointed to his own experience launching from aircraft carriers and his background in aeronautical engineering and test piloting.
The criticism reflects a broader debate over whether the change represents a practical improvement or an expensive reversal of a technology decision already incorporated into the Ford-class design.
What Happens Next?
The Pentagon now has 60 days to develop a plan detailing how the USS Doris Miller could be equipped with steam and hydraulic systems instead of EMALS and advanced weapons elevators.
The outcome of that assessment will determine the next stage of the proposal.
For now, the key issue is whether the Navy can make such a substantial design change without creating major additional costs or delays to a carrier that is already behind schedule.
The debate also highlights the wider question of how the US Navy should balance new technology, cost, reliability and operational performance as it builds its next generation of aircraft carriers.
FAQ: Trump Aircraft Carrier Redesign Order
Why did Trump order the redesign of a US aircraft carrier?
Trump ordered the Pentagon to develop a plan to replace electromagnetic aircraft launch systems with steam-powered catapults on the USS Doris Miller. He has repeatedly argued that steam technology is less complicated and preferable to EMALS.
What aircraft carrier is being redesigned?
The order specifically concerns the USS Doris Miller, a Ford-class aircraft carrier that is already reported to be two years behind schedule.
What is EMALS?
EMALS stands for Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System. It uses electrical energy and magnetic forces to accelerate aircraft from an aircraft carrier’s deck for takeoff.
Why does Donald Trump dislike EMALS?
Trump has repeatedly described electromagnetic or “digital” catapults as too complicated and expensive. He has advocated returning to steam-powered systems since at least 2017.
What is a steam catapult on an aircraft carrier?
A steam catapult is a launch system that uses high-pressure steam to accelerate an aircraft along a track on the carrier’s deck until it reaches takeoff speed.
Is Trump immediately replacing EMALS on all US aircraft carriers?
The supplied reports describe a directive focused on developing a plan for the USS Doris Miller. They do not establish that every existing US aircraft carrier will immediately be converted from EMALS to steam.
How long does the Pentagon have to develop the plan?
The national security memorandum gives Pentagon officials 60 days to develop the required plan.
How much will Trump’s aircraft carrier redesign cost?
The reports do not provide a confirmed final cost. However, General Atomics and other officials have warned that changing the system after construction has progressed could create significant cost and schedule risks.
How much of the USS Doris Miller’s EMALS system has already been built?
General Atomics said its work on the system is nearly 50% complete, according to the reports.
Will the USS Doris Miller be delayed further?
That is not yet known. The carrier is already reported to be two years behind schedule, while General Atomics has warned that changing the design could introduce additional schedule risks.
Does the US Navy still use steam catapults?
Yes. Steam catapults have been used on earlier generations of US aircraft carriers. The Ford-class carriers introduced EMALS as their modern replacement.
Are steam catapults better than electromagnetic catapults?
The supplied reports do not establish that one system is universally better. Trump argues that steam is preferable, while the Navy previously said EMALS could reduce maintenance and overall costs and place less stress on aircraft.
Who makes EMALS?
The reports identify General Atomics as the company building the electromagnetic aircraft launch system for Ford-class carriers.
What is the USS Doris Miller?
The USS Doris Miller is a Ford-class US aircraft carrier named after Doris Miller, a US Navy sailor who served during the Second World War.
What does an aircraft carrier catapult do?
An aircraft carrier catapult accelerates fixed-wing aircraft rapidly enough to reach takeoff speed from the carrier’s relatively short flight deck.
Why is Trump’s aircraft carrier order controversial?
The controversy centres on the cost and engineering consequences of replacing a modern system that is already integrated into the carrier’s design. Critics and industry officials have raised concerns about cost, delays and technical integration.
What happens after Trump’s 60-day deadline?
Pentagon officials are expected to present a plan outlining the measures required to replace EMALS and advanced weapons elevators with steam and hydraulic systems. The supplied reports do not state what final decision will follow the plan.