Trump orders Navy to replace electromagnetic catapults with steam on new carriers

Published Aug 14, 01:37 PM UTC

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President Donald Trump signed a memorandum directing the U.S. Navy to replace the advanced Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) with older steam catapults on future Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers, starting with the USS Doris Miller. The first three carriers—Ford, Kennedy, and Enterprise—will retain their electromagnetic systems. Trump has criticized EMALS since 2017, baselessly claiming magnets fail in water and that steam is superior. The Navy reports that EMALS enables higher launch rates and lower maintenance costs compared to steam. Experts estimate the redesign will cost billions of dollars. Top Navy officials and industry leaders have resisted the move, which appears driven by Trump's personal frustration with cost overruns on the USS Gerald R. Ford.

Source

The New RepublicWestern

Original headline: Trump Orders Navy to Spend Billions Ripping Out a New Tech System

Original language: EN

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Trump Orders Navy to Replace EMALS with Steam Catapults on Future Carriers

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People and interests

Donald Trump U.S. Navy