politics
Trump orders Pentagon to redesign US aircraft carrier to use steam catapults to launch jets
President has suggested steam catapults every year since 2017, saying digital systems are too ‘complicated’
TL;DR
- Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to redesign a new aircraft carrier to use steam catapults instead of electromagnetic systems.
- Trump has advocated for steam catapults since 2017, describing modern digital systems as too complicated and expensive.
- The order requires the Pentagon to develop a plan within 60 days to replace the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System and Advanced Weapons Elevators on the USS Doris Miller.
- Senior Navy and industry leaders have reportedly resisted the change due to the high cost of redesigning integral systems and significant schedule risks.
- The company that builds the current system stated that changing course now would introduce significant cost, schedule, and integration risks, as their work on the new ship is nearly 50% complete.
- Senator Mark Kelly criticized Trump's directive, stating his own expertise as a former astronaut and test pilot would not lead him to suggest such engineering changes.