A Shift in Naval Strategy
President Donald Trump has issued a formal directive to the U.S. Navy, mandating a return to legacy steam-powered catapult technology for future aircraft carriers. The memorandum, signed Thursday, August 14, 2026, requires the Department of Defense to develop a plan within two months to replace the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) on the upcoming USS Doris Miller. This directive marks a significant intervention by the administration in military design specifications, overriding years of naval technological evolution.
The Technical and Financial Stakes
The transition from EMALS—a system designed to launch aircraft with greater precision and efficiency—back to steam catapults presents substantial engineering and fiscal challenges. EMALS, developed by General Atomics, has been the standard for the Ford-class carrier program, offering benefits such as reduced sailor requirements and lower maintenance over time. According to industry experts, the USS Doris Miller is already in an advanced state of construction, with work on its launch and arresting gear roughly halfway complete. Reverting to steam technology at this stage introduces significant integration risks, schedule delays, and potential cost overruns, as the infrastructure and expertise required to manufacture new steam catapults have largely atrophied since the commissioning of the USS George H. W. Bush in 2009.
Institutional and Operational Friction
The President’s rationale rests on a long-standing personal preference for steam-based systems, which he has characterized as more reliable and easier to repair in combat conditions. During public remarks, President Trump has questioned the reliance on advanced, digitalized systems that he argues lack the robustness of mechanical counterparts. However, the Navy has touted EMALS for its ability to increase launch rates and reduce the manpower necessary to operate flight deck equipment. With the Navy currently facing a shortfall of approximately 20,000 personnel across the fleet, the loss of labor-saving technologies like EMALS could exacerbate existing operational pressures.
Defense Budget and Future Outlook
This mandate arrives as the administration navigates a complex budget environment, including supplemental funding requests for ongoing military commitments. While the White House seeks to streamline defense procurement and address cost growth in shipbuilding, critics argue that a forced return to obsolete technology may undermine the long-term technological edge of the U.S. carrier fleet. The directive specifically targets the USS Doris Miller, leaving the USS Gerald R. Ford, USS John F. Kennedy, and USS Enterprise unaffected by the change. As the Pentagon prepares its implementation plan, stakeholders in Congress and the defense industry remain focused on the potential for cascading costs and the technical feasibility of retrofitting a modern hull with mid-20th-century propulsion and launch architecture.