Trump directs Pentagon to submit plans to replace electric catapult and elevator equipment with steam and hydraulic systems

The electromagnetic catapult system is shown here being installed in USS Gerald R Ford. The Pentagon is working on plans to reinstall steam catapults on Ford-class ships. (Michael Fabey)

US President Donald Trump sent a memorandum to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directing him to submit plans for the replacement of electric-based catapult and elevator systems aboard Ford-class aircraft carriers to systems that use steam and hydraulics, the White House confirmed on 13 August in an online post.

The memorandum calls for Hegseth, with consultation of Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao, to provide within 60 days from 13 August to the president through the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the assistant to the president for National Security Affairs, a plan on the “required measures” to replace the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Weapons Elevators (AWEs) with steam and hydraulic systems for the construction of aircraft carrier Doris Miller (CVN 81), including timelines and resourcing requirements, the online post said.

Procured in fiscal year (FY) 2019, Miller was part of two-ship buy contract with carrier Enterprise (CVN 80). The US Navy (USN) FY2026 budget submission estimated its total procurement cost at USD15.2 billion, the Congressional Research Service (CRS) noted in its December 2025 report.

Miller 's keel-laying is planned for later in 2026 and the USN now anticipates delivery in February 2034.

Trump has publicly excoriated USN officials for relying heavily on electric systems to operate carrier USS Gerald RFord (CVN 78) and has sought a redesign, saying the electric systems are too complicated.