Trump orders Navy to replace EMALS with steam catapults on USS Doris Miller
President Donald Trump issued a memorandum directing the Department of Defense and the U.S. Navy to draft a plan to remove the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System and advanced weapons elevators from the forthcoming Ford‑class carrier USS Doris Miller and replace them with conventional steam catapults and hydraulic elevators. Contractors note that EMALS installation on the ship is already about half complete and warn that the reversal could raise costs, delay schedules and create integration challenges.
Navy officials argue that EMALS enables higher launch rates and supports a broader range of aircraft, while the president’s memo cites the combat‑proven nature of steam systems. Senator Mark Kelly, a Navy veteran, has expressed doubt about the president’s grasp of the issue. The plan must be produced within two months.
How this was covered
- Right-leaning outlets covered this 70m later
Why it matters
Reversing the launch system could add billions of dollars and years to the construction of a key warship, affecting the Navy’s future capabilities and taxpayer costs.
How this story developed
- Aug 12 Sailors on USS Abraham Lincoln Face Rising Suicide Attempts Amid Prolonged Iran Conflict
- Aug 16 CENTCOM commander Brad Cooper lauded the resilience of the USS Abraham Lincoln’s sailors after a 260-day deployment, but warned that not all issues aboard are resolved.
- Aug 17 The guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold suffered an engineering failure that knocked out power for four days, leaving its crew without toilets, galley, air-conditioning and some drinking water in the South China Sea.
- Aug 17 Admiral Brad Cooper toured the carrier amid the controversy.
- Aug 17 The Navy announced that the carrier will begin its return voyage.
- Aug 17 Senators formally requested a comprehensive report on conditions aboard the carrier.
- Aug 17 While honoring teen lifeguard Ryder Williams and rescued boy Nathaniel Rai, Trump turned to the press and ordered Holmes to be quiet, labeling her “fake news.” He repeated the admonishment, directing the question to the child. The incident echoed earlier attacks on journalists.
- Aug 18 Admiral Cooper’s inspection was followed by lawmakers asserting that problems on the carrier still exist.
- Aug 18 President Trump publicly dismissed allegations of a mental‑health crisis and poor conditions aboard the carrier.
- Aug 18 The decision to move USS George Washington to the Middle East leaves the western Pacific without a carrier.
- Aug 18 Support ships delivered meals and helped the Benfold reach the Philippines for repairs.
- Aug 18 Trump added claims of direct contact with Kim Jong Un and demands on South Korea during the same briefing.
- Aug 19 The carrier reached more than 260 days at sea, establishing a Navy record for the longest uninterrupted deployment without a port call.
- Aug 19 Analysts note that the carriers will likely require extensive maintenance, potentially keeping both strike groups out of the Indo‑Pacific for more than 18 months.
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