What's Happening?
President Trump has issued a National Security Presidential Memorandum ordering the return of traditional steam-powered catapult systems to Ford-class aircraft carriers, replacing the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) currently used on the USS
Ford. This directive specifically applies to carriers like the Doris Miller, which is under construction. The President has historically criticized EMALS. Additionally, the memorandum mandates the establishment of a new, fifth public shipyard dedicated to submarine repair and a new component repair center to address submarine repair delays. A White House official confirmed these provisions. The Navy referred inquiries to the White House. General Atomics, the builder of EMALS, stated that changing course on the Doris Miller would introduce significant cost, schedule, and integration risks, and could have broader implications for national security and U.S. technological superiority.
Why It's Important?
President Trump's order to revert to steam catapults on Ford-class carriers represents a significant policy shift with substantial implications for naval technology, defense spending, and industrial base stability. The EMALS system was designed to offer advantages in launch flexibility and reduced maintenance, and reversing this decision could lead to considerable redesign costs and delays for ships already under construction, such as the Doris Miller. This move also impacts General Atomics, a key defense contractor, and raises questions about the long-term commitment to advanced naval technologies. The establishment of a fifth public shipyard is crucial for addressing the U.S. Navy's persistent maintenance backlogs for nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines. These delays have hampered fleet readiness and operational availability, making a new shipyard a critical investment in national security infrastructure, particularly as the fleet is projected to grow.
What's Next?
The National Security Presidential Memorandum requires Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to submit a report to President Trump within 120 days. This report must include a proposal to bolster submarine and aircraft carrier readiness, utilizing both the private sector and the additional public shipyard. The plan for the fifth shipyard needs to address sufficient drydock capacity for the growing fast-attack submarine fleet, potential locations (including in the continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories), site options for up to three new drydocks, innovative financing mechanisms like public-private partnerships, and timelines and resourcing requirements. The Navy has previously acknowledged the need for a fifth shipyard but also raised concerns about workforce availability and the high costs associated with its establishment. The directive to revert to steam catapults will likely trigger extensive redesign efforts for future Ford-class carriers and require substantial investment to re-establish steam catapult production lines, which have not been purchased in over 20 years.
Beyond the Headlines
President Trump's directive highlights a tension between adopting advanced, potentially unproven technologies and relying on established, albeit older, systems within the defense sector. His historical criticism of EMALS suggests a preference for perceived reliability over cutting-edge innovation, which could influence future defense procurement decisions. The decision to establish a fifth public shipyard underscores a critical national security challenge: the aging and insufficient infrastructure for maintaining a modern naval fleet. The current four public shipyards struggle to keep pace with maintenance demands, leading to extended downtimes for vital assets like nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers. This move reflects a long-term strategic investment in industrial capacity, aiming to enhance naval readiness and project power more effectively, particularly in regions like the Pacific. However, the challenges of workforce development and significant capital investment for such a large-scale project remain substantial.
