U.S. Congress Blocks Trump-Class Battleship Construction Until Key Weapons Mature
The House Armed Services Committee has included provisions in the draft FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act that prohibit the U.S. Navy from starting construction of the first nuclear-powered Trump-class battleship until its key weapon systems—hypersonic missiles, electromagnetic railguns, and high-power lasers—are certified as sufficiently mature. The $1.15 trillion NDAA also demands a strategy for future FF(X) frigate subvariants with Vertical Launch Systems. The railgun program, paused in 2021 due to barrel durability issues, faces particular scrutiny. Construction of the $17 billion battleship is planned for 2028.
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Legislators Demand Navy Prove Trump Class Battleships Won't Sink U.S. Nuclear Shipbuilding
The House Armed Services Committee has demanded the Navy prove that the proposed nuclear-powered Trump class battleships (BBG(X)/BBGN) will not exacerbate existing delays in aircraft carrier and submarine construction. During the markup of the FY2027 NDAA, an amendment by Rep. Joe Courtney highlighted that only two U.S. shipyards can build nuclear vessels, with only Newport News Shipbuilding handling surface vessels. The committee fears the aggressive schedule for the Trump class could further delay Ford class carriers and Virginia/Columbia class submarines. Additionally, concerns were raised about the sole nuclear reactor supplier, BWXT Technologies, which already supports multiple programs. This follows a previous congressional move to block construction until key weapon systems are mature.
The War ZoneLegislators Demand Navy Prove Trump Class Battleships Won’t Sink U.S. Nuclear Shipbuilding
The House Armed Services Committee has demanded the Navy prove that the proposed nuclear-powered Trump-class battleships (BBG(X)/BBGN) will not worsen existing delays in aircraft carrier and submarine construction. During the markup of the FY2027 NDAA, an amendment by Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT) highlighted that only two U.S. shipyards can build nuclear vessels, with only Newport News Shipbuilding constructing surface ships. The committee fears the aggressive schedule for the Trump class could further strain the already delayed Ford-class carrier program and the single naval reactor supplier, BWXT Technologies. This follows a previous congressional move to block construction until key weapons are mature.
The War ZoneDemocrats argue US needs drones, not Trump-class battleships
House Democrats expressed frustration during a markup of the fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, arguing that the $17-20 billion Trump-class battleship program is a costly 'vanity project' and a 'sitting duck' against modern threats like hypersonic missiles and drone swarms. An amendment by Rep. Adam Smith to strip $1 billion in initial funding for the battleship failed on a 26-30 vote. Democrats cited lessons from the war in Ukraine and past Navy procurement failures (Zumwalt-class, LCS) to argue for investing in smaller, cheaper autonomous systems instead. The battleship, announced by President Trump in December 2025 with an AI-generated concept image, would be the first new U.S. battleship since 1944, with construction slated to begin in 2028.
Military TimesUS Democrats argue for drones over Trump-class battleships in defense funding debate
House Democrats expressed frustration during a House Armed Services Committee markup of the fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, arguing that the $17-20 billion Trump-class battleship program is a costly 'sitting duck' and a 'vanity project' that ignores modern warfare lessons from Ukraine. An amendment by Rep. Adam Smith to scrap $1 billion in initial funding for the battleship failed on a 26-30 vote. Lawmakers urged investment in cheaper autonomous drone systems instead, citing past Navy procurement failures like the Zumwalt-class and littoral combat ship. The battleship, announced by President Trump in December 2025, would be the first new U.S. battleship since 1944. Construction is planned to begin in 2028 with delivery in the 2030s.
Navy TimesDemocrats Argue US Needs Drones, Not Trump-Class Battleships
House Democrats expressed frustration during a markup of the fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, arguing that the U.S. military should invest in cheaper autonomous weapons systems instead of funding a $17-20 billion Trump-class battleship. An amendment by Rep. Adam Smith to void $1 billion in funding for the battleship failed on a 26-30 vote. Lawmakers, including Rep. Seth Moulton, called the battleship a 'boondoggle' and a 'sitting duck' against modern threats like hypersonic missiles and drone swarms. They cited past Navy procurement failures such as the Zumwalt-class and littoral combat ship. The battleship, announced by President Trump in December 2025, would be the first since 1944. Construction is slated to begin in 2028.
Military TimesDemocrats argue US needs drones, not Trump-class battleships
House Democrats expressed frustration during a markup of the fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, arguing that the $17-20 billion Trump-class battleship program is a costly boondoggle and a 'sitting duck' against modern threats like hypersonic missiles and drone swarms. Rep. Adam Smith proposed an amendment to strip $1 billion in initial funding for the battleship, but it failed 26-30. Democrats cited lessons from the war in Ukraine and past Navy procurement failures (Zumwalt-class, littoral combat ship) to argue for investing in cheaper, attritable autonomous systems instead. The battleship, announced by President Trump in December 2025 with an AI-generated concept photo, would be the first U.S. battleship since 1944. Construction is slated to begin in 2028 with delivery in the 2030s.
Military TimesHouse Democrats argue for drones over Trump-class battleships, but amendment fails
During a House Armed Services Committee markup of the fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, Democrats argued that the U.S. military should invest in cheaper autonomous weapons systems instead of funding the Trump-class battleship, a $17-20 billion program. Rep. Seth Moulton called the battleship 'the most expensive sitting duck in world history,' citing an op-ed by retired Navy Adm. James Stavridis. Rep. Adam Smith proposed an amendment to void $1 billion in funding for the battleship, but it failed on a 26-30 vote. Lawmakers criticized the program as a 'vanity project' announced by President Trump with only an AI-generated photo and no design analysis. They pointed to past Navy procurement failures like the Zumwalt-class and littoral combat ship. The battleship construction is scheduled to begin in 2028, with delivery in the 2030s.
Navy TimesLawmakers Condition Trump-Class Battleship Construction on Weapons Technology Readiness
The House Armed Services Committee's fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act includes a provision barring construction of the lead Trump-class battleship until the Secretary of the Navy certifies that its planned weapon systems—hypersonic missiles, electromagnetic railguns, and high-powered lasers—have reached a sufficiently mature technology readiness level. The $1.15 trillion NDAA provides foundational funding for the Trump administration's proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget. The first $17 billion battleship is slated for construction start in 2028 and delivery in the 2030s. The Navy's hypersonic missile program is in testing, with a successful March 2026 launch and planned tests aboard USS Zumwalt in 2027-2028. The electromagnetic railgun program was paused in 2021 after barrel durability issues, and laser weapons timelines remain unclear.
Military TimesLawmakers block Trump-class battleship construction until weapons technology matures
The House Armed Services Committee's fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act includes a provision prohibiting construction of the lead Trump-class battleship until the Secretary of the Navy certifies that its planned weapon systems—hypersonic missiles, electromagnetic railguns, and high-powered lasers—have reached a sufficiently mature technology readiness level. The $1.15 trillion NDAA provides foundational funding for the Trump administration's proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget. The Navy's hypersonic missile program is in testing, with a successful launch in March 2026. The electromagnetic railgun program was paused in 2021 after barrel durability issues. Construction of the first $17 billion battleship is scheduled for 2028, with delivery in the 2030s.
Navy TimesLawmakers Block Trump-Class Battleship Construction Until Weapons Technology Matures
The House Armed Services Committee's fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act includes a provision barring construction of the lead Trump-class battleship until the Secretary of the Navy certifies that its planned weapon systems—hypersonic missiles, electromagnetic railguns, and high-powered lasers—have reached a sufficiently mature technology readiness level. The $1.15 trillion NDAA provides foundational funding for the Trump administration's proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget. The first $17 billion battleship is slated for construction start in 2028 and delivery in the 2030s. The Navy's hypersonic missile program is in testing, with a successful March 2026 launch. However, the electromagnetic railgun program was paused in 2021 after barrel durability issues, and laser weapon timelines remain uncertain.
Navy TimesLawmakers Block Trump-Class Battleship Construction Until Weapons Technology Matures
The House Armed Services Committee's fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act includes a provision prohibiting the Navy from beginning construction of the lead Trump-class battleship until the Secretary of the Navy certifies that its planned weapon systems—hypersonic missiles, electromagnetic railguns, and high-powered lasers—have reached a sufficiently mature technology readiness level. The $1.15 trillion NDAA provides foundational funding for the Trump administration's proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget. The first $17 billion battleship is scheduled to begin construction in 2028 with delivery in the 2030s. The Navy's hypersonic missile program is in testing, with a successful launch in March 2026. The electromagnetic railgun program was paused in 2021 after barrel durability issues limited it to 12-24 shots before replacement, compared to 600 for conventional guns. Laser weapon timelines also remain uncertain.
Military TimesLawmakers block Trump-class battleship construction until weapons technology matures
The House Armed Services Committee's fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act includes a provision prohibiting construction of the lead Trump-class battleship until the Secretary of the Navy certifies that its planned weapon systems—hypersonic missiles, electromagnetic railguns, and high-powered lasers—have reached sufficient technology readiness levels. The $1.15 trillion NDAA provides foundational funding for the Trump administration's proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget. The Navy's hypersonic missile program is in testing, with a successful March 2026 launch. The electromagnetic railgun program was paused in 2021 after barrel durability issues (needing replacement after 12-24 shots vs. 600 for conventional guns). Construction of the $17 billion battleship is planned for 2028 with delivery in the 2030s.
Navy TimesUS Lawmakers Condition Trump-Class Battleship Construction on Weapons Technology Readiness
The House Armed Services Committee's fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act includes a provision barring construction of the lead Trump-class battleship until the Secretary of the Navy certifies that its planned weapon systems—including hypersonic missiles, electromagnetic railguns, and high-powered lasers—have reached a sufficiently mature technology readiness level. The $1.15 trillion NDAA provides foundational funding for the Trump administration's proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget. The first $17 billion battleship is slated for construction starting in 2028, with delivery in the 2030s. The Navy's hypersonic missile program is in testing, with a successful March 2026 launch. The electromagnetic railgun program was paused in 2021 after development challenges, including barrel durability issues. Laser weapons integration timelines also remain uncertain.
Military TimesCongress Moves To Block Trump Class Battleship Work Until Its Key Weapons Are Mature
The House Armed Services Committee has included provisions in the draft FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would block the U.S. Navy from starting construction of the first nuclear-powered Trump-class battleship until key weapon systems, including railguns and high-power lasers, are certified as 'sufficiently mature.' The legislation does not specify exact technology readiness levels. Additionally, the committee is demanding the Navy develop a strategy for future subvariants of the FF(X) frigate, including a potential version with a Vertical Launch System (VLS), which the initial design lacks. The battleship program, which also includes hypersonic missiles and conventional weapons, faces potential delays that could end it before construction begins. The railgun program, previously shelved after technical hurdles, is a particular focus of concern.
The War ZoneCongress Moves To Block Trump Class Battleship Work Until Its Key Weapons Are Mature
The House Armed Services Committee has included provisions in the draft FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would block the U.S. Navy from starting construction of the first nuclear-powered Trump class battleship until key weapon systems, including railguns and laser directed energy weapons, are certified as sufficiently mature. The legislation does not specify exact technology readiness levels. Additionally, the committee is demanding the Navy develop a strategy for future subvariants of the FF(X) frigate, including a version with a built-in Vertical Launch System (VLS), addressing criticism over the initial design lacking VLS. The battleship and frigate programs are top Navy shipbuilding priorities, and the delay could threaten the battleship program's viability.
The War ZoneCongress Moves To Block Trump Class Battleship Work Until Its Key Weapons Are Mature
The House Armed Services Committee has included provisions in the draft FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act that would block the U.S. Navy from starting construction of the first nuclear-powered Trump class battleship until key weapon systems, including electromagnetic railguns and high-power laser directed energy weapons, are certified as sufficiently mature. The legislation does not specify exact technology readiness levels. Additionally, the committee is demanding the Navy develop a strategy for future subvariants of the FF(X) frigate, including a potential version with a built-in Vertical Launch System (VLS), after the initial design lacked one. The battleship program, which also includes hypersonic missiles and conventional missiles in large VLS arrays, faces potential delays that could end it before it begins. The railgun program, previously shelved after technical hurdles, is a particular focus of concern.
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