Trump Orders Navy to Remove Advanced EMALS System from Ford-Class Carriers, Revert to Steam Catapults
President Donald Trump has ordered the U.S. Navy to remove the advanced Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) from its newest Ford-class aircraft carriers and revert to older steam catapults. The directive, issued on a Thursday, requires the Pentagon and Navy…
Fort Myers Naples, FL, August 13, 2026 —
President Donald Trump has issued a directive ordering the U.S. Navy to remove the advanced Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) from its newest Ford-class aircraft carriers and replace it with the older steam catapult technology. The directive was issued on a Thursday, according to reports.
The Pentagon and the Navy have been given a two-month deadline to present detailed plans for the removal of the EMALS system. This significant directive impacts the USS Doris Miller, which is the fourth carrier in the Ford-class to be built.
The decision to revert to steam catapults comes despite acknowledged advantages of the EMALS system. EMALS offers benefits in terms of launch speed, reduced maintenance requirements, and a smaller crew size compared to the traditional steam catapults. The electromagnetic system is considered a key technological advancement for modern naval aviation.
This move by President Trump also occurs at a time when the U.S. Navy is reportedly facing difficulties in its recruitment efforts and in filling required ship positions. The implications of removing a significant technological component like EMALS on operational readiness and future naval development are yet to be fully assessed.
The specific reasons behind the President’s directive and the detailed timeline for implementation beyond the initial planning phase were not immediately available.
Story summarized from the original created by AP on apnews.com, see more information here.
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