Carrier swap and steam catapults mark Navy strain amid Iran ops

President Trump signed a national security memorandum Thursday ordering the Pentagon to develop plans for replacing the electromagnetic aircraft launch system on the USS Doris Miller with traditional steam catapults. The directive also calls for swapping out the ship's advanced weapons elevators in favor of hydraulic systems. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has two months to deliver cost estimates, timelines, and resource requirements for the changes.

The move targets the fourth ship in the Ford class, still under construction. Earlier vessels in the class already use the electromagnetic system known as EMALS, but the new order stops short of mandating retrofits on ships currently in service. Trump has criticized the technology since his first term, arguing it lacks the power and reliability of the steam systems that served the Navy for decades. He has repeatedly described the newer setup as overly complex and prone to breakdowns.

Navy officials have long defended EMALS as a leap forward that allows faster launches and reduces wear on aircraft. Critics inside and outside the service point to repeated test failures, higher maintenance demands, and the need for additional personnel to keep the system running. Steam catapults, by contrast, rely on simpler mechanics that sailors have operated and repaired for generations without advanced engineering degrees.

The decision arrives as the Navy strains to sustain extended deployments in the Middle East. The USS Abraham Lincoln recently completed more than 260 consecutive days at sea supporting operations against Iran, prompting reports of mental health strains and supply shortages among the crew. Lawmakers have pressed the Pentagon for answers on crew welfare. The USS George Washington is now heading toward the region to relieve pressure on the force.

Trump's order reflects a broader push to prioritize proven equipment over experimental upgrades that have driven up costs without delivering promised performance. The Ford class program has already exceeded its original budget by billions, with the electromagnetic launch and recovery systems cited as major contributors to the overruns. Restoring steam and hydraulic systems on future hulls could reverse some of those expenses, though initial transition costs will still be substantial.

Navy leaders have struggled to recruit and retain enough sailors to man the fleet at full strength. Systems that require fewer specialized technicians could ease that burden over time. The memorandum directs planners to account for workforce impacts alongside hardware changes.

The White House framed the directive as part of a larger effort to rebuild American maritime strength. Trump has argued for years that the Navy drifted toward untested technology while basic readiness suffered. The latest order puts that view into formal policy for at least one new carrier.