In a major shift in U.S. naval policy, President Donald Trump has ordered the U.S. Navy to abandon the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) on future Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers and return to traditional steam catapults. At the same time, he has opened the door to limited foreign construction of U.S. warships for the first time in decades. The national security memorandum marks a significant departure from years of naval modernization and has sparked intense debate over costs, technology, and America's long-term maritime strategy.

A Major Course Correction for the Ford-Class

The directive applies to USS Doris Miller (CVN-81), the fourth Ford-class aircraft carrier, and all future ships in the class.

Under the order, the Pentagon must replace EMALS and the Advanced Weapons Elevators with steam-powered catapults and hydraulic elevator systems similar to those used on the older Nimitz-class carriers. The first three Ford-class vessels—USS Gerald R. Ford, USS John F. Kennedy, and USS Enterprise—will retain their existing electromagnetic systems.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has been given 120 days to submit an implementation plan outlining costs, timelines, and technical changes.

Why Trump Wants Steam Catapults Back

Trump has repeatedly criticised EMALS, arguing that the technology is too complex, expensive, and less dependable than conventional steam-powered launch systems.

The White House has defended the reversal as a return to "proven, reliable and affordable technologies" that can better utilise existing industrial infrastructure, maintenance networks, and trained personnel.

This reasoning contrasts with the Navy's original justification for EMALS, which promised lower lifecycle costs, reduced maintenance, greater launch flexibility, and less stress on aircraft during takeoff.

Foreign Shipbuilding Gets a Historic Opening

Perhaps the most unexpected element of the memorandum is its limited relaxation of America's long-standing restrictions on foreign-built naval vessels.

The policy allows foreign shipbuilders that have made substantial investments in U.S. shipyards to construct up to two U.S. warships at their overseas facilities as a temporary measure to bridge fleet shortages.

Future vessels would then shift back to American shipyards, with foreign partners expected to help train an "all-American workforce." While narrowly framed, the decision represents the first explicit opening for overseas construction of U.S. warships in decades.

Costs, Delays and Operational Trade-Offs

Reversing the Ford-class design midway through development will not be simple.

Replacing EMALS with steam catapults requires significant redesign of power distribution systems, steam generation infrastructure, and flight-deck machinery. Experts estimate the changes could add hundreds of millions—or potentially billions—of dollars to the programme while risking construction delays.

Operationally, steam catapults demand more manpower for maintenance and may reduce the higher sortie-generation efficiency that EMALS was designed to deliver.

A High-Stakes Gamble for America's Naval Future

Trump's memorandum reflects a broader emphasis on rapid fleet expansion, industrial revival, and reliance on established technologies over ambitious next-generation systems. The parallel plan to establish a fifth public Navy shipyard aims to strengthen repair capacity for carriers and submarines, reinforcing that industrial resilience has become a strategic priority. Yet the rollback of EMALS remains the most controversial element of the overhaul, raising questions about whether short-term reliability and cost concerns could come at the expense of America's long-term technological edge in carrier aviation and great-power competition.

(With agency inputs)