- Trump's directive to revert to steam catapults on the new aircraft carrier has raised concerns among naval experts.
- Naval experts have labeled the move as outdated and potentially costly, with redesigns for the USS Doris Miller expected to cost “probably into the billions.”
- Delays in the USS Doris Miller's service could leave the US Navy short on carrying capacity next decade due to retirements of Nimitz-class carriers.
- Electromagnetic systems have proven to be easier to operate and less expensive, saving the Navy $100 million a year on the Ford class carrier.
- Manufacturing infrastructure for steam catapults is no longer available, as the Navy hasn't built new steam catapults since the George H. W. Bush entered service in 2009.
- Restarting production lines for steam catapults would cost tens of millions of dollars and take years, as there are no manufacturers in the US.
- Critics argue that the steam catapult system is very old thinking and less effective compared to modern alternatives.
President Trump’s directive to revert to steam catapults for the USS Doris Miller has sparked confusion among naval experts, who label the decision as “very outdated.” The change could add billions to costs and delay the carrier’s deployment until the late 2030s.2
Bryan Clark, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, noted that redesigning the carrier would likely cost into the billions and push its service date from 2034 to potentially the end of the next decade. He emphasized that the Navy could face a significant shortfall in carrier capacity due to the retirement of Nimitz-class carriers.
Critics, including Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly, have voiced strong opposition to the memo, with Kelly stating, “Donald Trump should stick to what he knows best — ballrooms, bankruptcy, and bullshit.” He highlighted his extensive experience in naval operations, questioning the rationale behind the decision.7
Chris Cavas, a veteran journalist, described the memo as “very old thinking” and pointed out the operational advantages of the electromagnetic launch system (EMALS), which has proven to be easier to operate and less expensive in terms of maintenance. He noted that the Navy has not built new steam catapults since the George H. W. Bush carrier entered service in 2009, and the infrastructure for such production has largely disappeared.
Clark added that restarting steam catapult production would take years and cost tens of millions of dollars, further complicating the Navy’s future capabilities.
“Bryan Clark of the Hudson Institute says the USS Doris Miller, already under construction, would need redesign costing 'probably into the billions' and delay service until the end of the next decade. Meanwhile, Sen. Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, quipped that Trump should 'stick to what he knows best — ballrooms, bankruptcy, and bullshit.'”
