President Donald Trump has signed a national security directive instructing the military to rip out modern electromagnetic launch systems and return to traditional steam catapults on upcoming warships.
If you have followed defense policy over the last decade, this move won't shock you. Trump has complained about advanced naval tech since his first term. Now, he's turning those complaints into official policy. The directive gives the Pentagon sixty days to devise a plan. It targets the fourth Ford-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the upcoming USS Doris Miller.
The Problem With Modern Tech
For years, the military leaned heavily into the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS). Developed to replace older steam technology, EMALS uses stored kinetic energy and solid-state electrical power.
Proponents argued that digital systems offer smoother acceleration, smaller footprints, and the ability to launch everything from heavy strike fighters to lightweight unmanned platforms.
Trump sees it differently. He frequently points to conversations with veteran sailors who joke that older systems can be fixed with basic tools, whereas electronic failures require high-tech specialists. In his view, complexity breeds vulnerability. When systems break down in a combat zone, reliability beats theoretical efficiency every single time.
Why the USS Doris Miller is the Target
The directive specifically impacts the USS Doris Miller, a massive nuclear-powered vessel currently in its planning and early construction phases.
The first three ships in the class—including the USS Gerald R. Ford—will keep their current configurations. But changing direction on the Doris Miller carries heavy consequences.
General Atomics, the manufacturer building the electromagnetic gear, warned that halting the setup midway creates serious scheduling risks. Work on the ship's catapults and arresting equipment is already roughly halfway finished. Tearing out those foundations to install heavy steam pipes and hydraulic infrastructure will cost hundreds of millions of dollars and potentially delay delivery.
The Broader Debate Inside the Pentagon
Naval leadership remains divided. Many officers argue that electromagnetic tech is essential for the future fleet. They point out that peer competitors like China are actively adopting electromagnetic systems on their newest carriers.
At the same time, the Navy faces severe personnel shortages across the fleet. Proponents of EMALS note that the digital setup requires significantly fewer sailors to operate than legacy steam systems. Reverting to steam demands more manpower at a time when filling open positions remains a constant headache.
Defense spending is already stretched thin. Between rising operational costs tied to ongoing conflicts and an aggressive push to revitalize domestic shipbuilding, every dollar faces intense scrutiny.
The Pentagon has two months to deliver its transition roadmap. Expect fierce debates on Capitol Hill over whether this retrofit is a necessary correction or an expensive detour.
