Trump orders Navy to abandon electromagnetic jet launch system, return to steam catapults

On August 13, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a national security memorandum ordering the Navy to replace the electromagnetic jet launch systems on Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers with traditional steam catapults. Trump has criticized the electric systems as overly complex and ineffective. The transition, affecting carriers built by primary contractor Huntington Ingalls Industries, is expected to cost billions of dollars.

Trump electromagnetic catapult reversal order

• ▪The White House announced on August 13, 2026, that President Donald Trump directed the Navy to tear out the complex electromagnetic launch systems from its aircraft carriers.
• ▪U.S. President Donald Trump signed a national security memorandum on August 13, 2026, ordering the Navy to abandon electromagnetic jet launch systems and return to steam catapults.

Electromagnetic versus steam catapults

• ▪Donald Trump has frequently criticized the Navy's electromagnetic launch system, calling it too complex, more expensive, and less effective than traditional steam catapults.
• ▪At a July 2026 defense summit in Pennsylvania, Donald Trump criticized electric catapults as being overly complex and "not nearly as good" despite costing billions more.

Ford-class carrier retrofit costs

• ▪Neither the White House nor the U.S. Navy immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the August 13, 2026, national security memorandum.
• ▪The removal of the electromagnetic catapult system from Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers is expected to cost billions of dollars.
• ▪Huntington Ingalls Industries is the primary contractor building the Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers affected by the launch system replacement order.

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