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NewsWPLG Local 10 – PoliticsAugust 14, 2026Miami-Dade

President Trump orders U.S. Navy to replace electromagnetic jet launch systems with steam catapults

President Donald Trump has issued a directive requiring the U.S. Navy to remove advanced electromagnetic launch systems from its newest aircraft carriers and revert to using traditional steam-powered catapults. This change reverses the current technological standard for launching fighter jets on the Navy's latest class of carriers.

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Why It Matters

This directive mandates a significant technological shift in naval aviation infrastructure, impacting the design and operational capabilities of the Navy's newest aircraft carriers.

Key Facts

  • President Trump issued a directive to the U.S. Navy on Thursday.
  • The directive mandates the removal of advanced electromagnetic launch systems from the newest class of aircraft carriers.
  • The Navy is required to return to using steam catapults for launching fighter jets.
  • President Trump has previously expressed a preference for steam catapult technology over the newer electromagnetic systems.

Who's Mentioned

organizationU.S. Navy“Branch of military tasked with implementing the change”otherUSS Doris Miller“First Ford-class carrier targeted for the system change”personPete Hegseth“Defense Secretary”organizationGeneral Atomics“Manufacturer of the EMALS system”personDonald Trump“President who issued the directive”