WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has ordered the U.S. Navy to abandon electromagnetic aircraft launch systems on future aircraft carriers and return to traditional steam catapults, reversing a major technology choice for the service’s newest class of warships.
Trump issued the directive in a national security memorandum that calls for the change beginning with the future USS Doris Miller, the fourth Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier, according to the memorandum and people familiar with the order. The Navy had previously contracted for the electromagnetic system, known as EMALS, on the ship.
The order directs Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao to develop a plan for the transition within 60 days, according to reports on the memorandum. The first three Ford-class carriers — USS Gerald R. Ford, USS John F. Kennedy and USS Enterprise — will retain their electromagnetic launch systems.
Trump has criticized EMALS for years, arguing that it is too complicated and costly compared with steam technology. He renewed his call for a return to steam during a visit to the USS George Washington in Japan in October 2025, saying he intended to order the Navy to use steam catapults on future carriers.
The Navy awarded a $1.204 billion contract modification in 2023 for production, installation and support of EMALS and the Advanced Arresting Gear system for the Doris Miller. At the time, Naval Air Systems Command said the work would continue through 2032.
The reversal is expected to require redesign work and could increase costs and delay construction. Reuters reported that EMALS production for the Doris Miller was already nearly halfway complete, creating additional integration and scheduling challenges.
The electromagnetic system has already been used operationally aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford. The Navy selected EMALS for the Ford class as a replacement for the steam catapults used on the preceding Nimitz-class carriers.
The directive comes as Trump separately seeks to expand U.S. shipbuilding capacity. His memorandum also permits limited overseas construction of Navy ships under specified conditions and directs the Defense Department to establish an additional Navy shipyard focused on maintenance capacity.
The administration has given the Pentagon and Navy 60 days to produce the transition plan, with the Doris Miller serving as the first carrier affected by the policy change.
