President Donald Trump signed a national security memorandum on August 13 directing the U.S. Navy to replace the electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) with steam catapults on the fourth Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier, the USS Doris Miller. The directive also requires replacing advanced weapons elevators with traditional hydraulic systems, according to a White House fact sheet.
The change applies to the USS Doris Miller, currently under construction by Huntington Ingalls Industries, with delivery anticipated by early 2034. The memorandum tasks Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao with developing a plan within 60 days to implement the modifications. The USS Gerald R. Ford, the first ship in the class, has completed 36,863 EMALS launches since its commissioning, per Pentagon documents.
Cost and timeline implications
The design change is expected to cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars, with Huntington Ingalls Industries, the primary contractor for Ford-class carriers, noting a slight increase in after-hours trading following the announcement. The keel for the USS Doris Miller is slated to be laid by the end of 2026.
Trump’s rationale and prior criticism
Trump has repeatedly criticized EMALS as more expensive and less effective than steam catapults, calling the system "too complex" during a defense summit in Pennsylvania last month. He stated, "Billions of dollars more they spent on electric catapults and they're not good. They're not nearly as good."
Policy shifts and additional directives
The memorandum also directs the Navy to allow foreign shipbuilders to construct up to two U.S. warships in their parent shipyards as a temporary measure while American shipyards are revitalized. Additionally, Trump signed a separate proclamation imposing tariffs on drones and drone parts, citing national security concerns. The tariffs on non-sensitive components will take effect 180 days after signing.
Background on EMALS and steam catapults
The Navy introduced EMALS on Ford-class carriers after its first successful test in 2015, citing benefits such as improved maintenance, efficiency, reliability, and higher launch energy capacity. Steam catapults, used on previous Nimitz-class carriers for over 50 years, require more personnel to operate and maintain but have a long-standing operational history.
The USS Gerald R. Ford has faced operational challenges with EMALS, including delays and maintenance issues, which have drawn public criticism from Trump. The Navy has not publicly commented on the memorandum’s implementation timeline or cost estimates beyond the White House fact sheet.