Former U.S. President Donald Trump has directed the Navy to halt development of the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and revert to steam catapults for future aircraft carriers.
The directive, issued via executive order, requires the Navy to prioritize the use of steam catapult technology in the design and construction of new carrier classes, citing concerns over cost overruns, reliability issues, and operational readiness. EMALS, developed for the Gerald R. Ford-class carriers, has faced repeated delays and technical challenges since its initial deployment.
The order follows Trump’s public criticism of EMALS during his presidency, where he argued the system was overly complex and prone to malfunctions. The Navy had invested over $4 billion in EMALS development, with the Ford-class carriers relying exclusively on the technology for aircraft launches.
Industry analysts note that steam catapults, while older, remain a proven and cost-effective alternative. The Ford-class carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, commissioned in 2017, has yet to achieve full operational capability due to EMALS-related issues. The Navy has not yet commented on the feasibility or timeline for transitioning back to steam catapults.
The directive could impact defense contractors including General Atomics, which developed EMALS, and shipbuilders such as Huntington Ingalls Industries, which construct U.S. aircraft carriers.
