Trump Abandons Advanced Systems on Aircraft Carriers: What Lies Behind the Sudden Decision?

President Donald Trump ordered the abandonment of advanced electromagnetic launch systems on the upcoming U.S. aircraft carrier, reverting to traditional steam-powered catapults, in a move described by Le Figaro as "controversial".

The decision was issued in a presidential memorandum published by the White House on August 13, as part of measures aimed at addressing what the U.S. administration described as longstanding problems in naval shipbuilding and repair programs.

The memorandum states that advanced electromagnetic launch systems and sophisticated weapon elevators will be replaced with traditional steam and hydraulic systems on the CVN-81 carrier, known as USS Doris Miller.

Trump's decision is not a sudden shift in position—during his first term, the U.S. president had previously criticized the EMALS system.

In 2017, Trump questioned the viability of electromagnetic catapults used on Gerald R. Ford-class carriers, designed to gradually replace older Nimitz-class vessels.

At the time, Trump said the electromagnetic system was more complex and costly than steam catapults, advocating a return to the conventional technology the U.S. Navy has relied on for decades.

However, electromagnetic catapults were designed to offer significant operational advantages, including smoother aircraft acceleration, reduced mechanical stress on aircraft, and the ability to launch aircraft of varying weights—including heavy fighters and light drones.

EMALS also features rapid recharging, theoretically allowing a higher aircraft launch rate compared to older carriers.

Technical Issues and High Costs

The Gerald R. Ford-class carrier program faced technical challenges, major delays, and costs exceeding initial estimates.

The Gerald R. Ford entered service in 2017, after being delayed from its scheduled date, but did not achieve full operational readiness until December 2021. Its cost surpassed $13 billion, compared to initial estimates of around $10.5 billion.

A 2023 report from the U.S. Department of Defense revealed that EMALS reliability was far below target levels, with frequent failures recorded during testing and operational phases.

Additionally, the cost of the electromagnetic catapults themselves rose significantly, intensifying criticism of the program within U.S. military and political circles.

The Decision Currently Affects One Carrier

Currently, Trump’s decision applies only to the fourth Ford-class carrier, Doris Miller.

Carriers Gerald R. Ford, John F. Kennedy, and Enterprise are still expected to continue using electromagnetic launch systems.

Doris Miller is projected to enter service in the 2030s and could become the first modern U.S. aircraft carrier to revert to steam catapults after the Navy transitioned to electromagnetic technology.

Nevertheless, the decision raises concerns about project cost and timeline, especially since the carrier’s construction has already advanced significantly.

General Atomics, the manufacturer of the EMALS system, warned that altering the design at this stage could pose substantial risks to cost, schedule, and system integration.