President Donald Trump has issued a directive requiring the U.S. Navy to remove the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System, known as EMALS, from its newest aircraft carriers and replace it with older steam-powered catapults. The Pentagon and Navy have been given two months to present plans for implementing the change, which Trump has consistently criticized since his first term in 2017.
The mandate specifically targets the USS Doris Miller, the fourth Ford-class carrier, as the first vessel to undergo the conversion. Three other Ford-class ships—the USS Gerald R. Ford, USS John F. Kennedy, and USS Enterprise—would remain unaffected by the directive. The electromagnetic weapons elevators on these carriers would also be replaced under the new policy.
The initiative represents a significant reversal in naval technology, as the EMALS system offers substantial operational advantages including faster aircraft launch speeds, reduced maintenance requirements, and lower crew demands. The original system requires approximately a dozen sailors to operate, while EMALS reduces this to just two personnel. This shift comes at a challenging time for the Navy, which faces approximately 20,000 unfilled positions across its fleet despite recent recruiting successes.
The cost implications of the reversal are substantial, with defense analysts expecting the redesign and retrofit to require billions in additional spending. General Atomics, the EMALS manufacturer, cautioned that work on the USS Doris Miller’s catapult systems was already halfway complete, and changing course would introduce significant cost, schedule, and integration risks. The company noted that the decision warrants careful reconsideration given the complexities involved.
The timing of Trump’s order coincides with Congressional budget deliberations, as the administration seeks funding for Pentagon priorities and military operations. This development adds another variable to ongoing discussions about naval modernization and resource allocation within the defense budget.
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