Trump Orders U.S. Navy to Return to Steam Catapults Despite Naval Resistance

President Donald Trump directed the U.S. Navy to abandon electromagnetic catapult systems on future aircraft carriers and return to steam catapults, a move that could cost billions of dollars.

While the decision comes despite years of opposition from Navy officials due to the complexity of the current system and its integration with modern carrier designs, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Additionally, Trump signed a national security memorandum on Thursday mandating the change, including redesigning the fourth ship in the Gerald R. Ford class, named Doris Miller, and all subsequent carriers.

The first three carriers—Ford, John F. Kennedy, and Enterprise—will retain their existing electromagnetic systems, according to the report.

Trump’s stance on this technology dates back nearly a decade, after expressing dissatisfaction during his first term following hearing a sailor praise steam catapults.

In a 2017 interview with Time magazine, Trump said he had requested the Navy return to what he described as "that damn steam," referring to his desire to reinstate the older system.

Nevertheless, Navy leaders and defense industry sectors resisted implementing this shift, warning of massive costs associated with removing an electromagnetic system designed as a core component of the Ford-class carriers.

They also pointed out that altering the design at this stage could delay programs and increase construction and maintenance costs.

Trump justified his decision last month by citing poor performance and excessive complexity of the electromagnetic system, stating during a rally in Pennsylvania that the new systems "aren't that good, and they're way too complicated."

This comes at a time when the Navy maintains that the system has delivered superior results in aircraft launch and recovery operations compared to the older Nimitz-class carriers.

Similarly, the Trump administration stated that returning to steam and hydraulic systems would yield more durable and resilient aircraft carriers, given that these technologies have been tested for decades under various combat conditions.

The White House added that the decision could revitalize parts of the U.S. naval industrial base and help expand production capabilities.

However, maritime experts argue that implementing the decision will not be simple. Brian Clarke, a specialist at the Hudson Institute, stated: "Replacing electromagnetic catapults with steam ones will be a complex engineering undertaking, potentially costing billions of dollars due to significant differences between Ford-class and Nimitz-class carrier designs."

The internal structure of Ford-class carriers differs substantially from older carriers, with spaces previously housing steam systems either redesigned or completely removed.

Steam systems on Nimitz-class carriers were used not only for launching aircraft but also for heating, freshwater production, and operating certain kitchen equipment.

Conversely, electrical systems offer several operational advantages, according to Clarke, who explained that reliance on electricity reduces the number of mechanical components linked to steam, thereby minimizing potential failure points.

Moreover, maintaining electrical systems is less costly, which has translated into a reduced crew size required to operate the Ford-class carrier.

According to U.S. Navy data, the Ford-class carrier requires about 500 fewer sailors than Nimitz-class carriers, partly due to the need for fewer technicians to maintain steam equipment.

Initial data also indicates that operating a Ford-class carrier costs approximately $100 million annually less than operating a Nimitz-class carrier.

Despite political criticism of the decision, the Navy has defended the performance of the new technology. In February, it announced success with the electromagnetic catapults and advanced arrestment system aboard the Ford, confirming they enabled the carrier to launch and recover aircraft at a higher rate than previous carriers.

Furthermore, Navy data shows that by March, nearly 37,000 aircraft had been launched using the four electromagnetic catapults aboard the Ford. The carrier had earlier completed an 11-month deployment, considered one of its longest since entering service.

Meanwhile, General Atomics, the company manufacturing the electromagnetic launch and arrestment systems for Ford-class carriers, warned of the decision's consequences.

The company added that reverting to steam technology could affect carrier readiness, national security, American technological superiority, and potentially give rivals an opportunity to close the military capability gap.

Similarly, HII, the company building the Ford-class carriers, announced it would work with the Navy to implement any potential changes to ships currently under construction, expected to enter service in 2034.

The decision also raises concerns about international competition, especially since China uses electromagnetic catapults on its newest aircraft carriers. France plans to adopt the same technology in its new carrier, meaning the United States may end up adopting a system abandoned by two major competitors in carrier development.

Thus, Trump’s decision extends beyond a technical change in carrier design—it opens a broader debate about the future of U.S. naval capabilities and the cost of developing them.