Trump Orders Navy to Ditch EMALS, Revert to Steam Catapults on Newest Carriers

President Trump signed a national security memorandum on August 14, 2026 directing the Pentagon and Navy to present plans within two months for removing the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) from Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers and reverting to older steam catapult technology, starting with USS Doris Miller, the fourth Ford-class ship. Trump has long criticized EMALS as costly and unreliable, telling reporters years earlier the Navy should go 'goddamned steam.' The Navy and defense contractor General Atomics have opposed the switch, citing billions of dollars in cost, added crew requirements, and integration risk given that work on Doris Miller's launch systems is already halfway complete; USS Gerald R. Ford, USS John F. Kennedy, and USS Enterprise are not affected.