Trump Yanks MODERNIZATION — Steam Is Back!

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Photo: Evan El-Amin / Shutterstock

President Trump ordered the Navy to drop electromagnetic launch tech on the next Ford-class carrier and bring back steam catapults, while also allowing up to two U.S.-flagged ships to be built in foreign yards.

Story Snapshot

  • White House directive tells the Navy to use steam catapults on CVN-81, not electromagnetic launch.
  • Policy opens a narrow path for up to two U.S. ships to be built at approved foreign shipyards.
  • Administration ties both moves to faster schedules and added shipbuilding capacity.
  • Analysts warn rework could cost hundreds of millions and strain designs already in progress.

What the White House Ordered and Why It Matters

The White House issued a memorandum instructing the Pentagon to replace the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System on the Ford-class carrier CVN-81 with steam catapults and to swap advanced weapons elevators for hydraulic systems. The same policy framework also allows up to two U.S.-flagged ships to be built at foreign parent shipyards under set conditions. Officials say the goal is to cut risk, speed delivery, and expand capacity after years of delays and cost overruns.

Reuters reports the design change could add hundreds of millions of dollars and force rework on systems already planned for the next Ford-class ship. The administration argues steam catapults are proven and easier to maintain at sea, even if they add weight and plumbing. The order lands as the Navy tries to recover schedule on carriers and submarines, and as the administration pushes to rebuild a shrunken industrial base that struggles to meet fleet goals.

Foreign-Built Hulls: A Narrow Exception to Boost Capacity

A separate memo permits foreign shipbuilders to construct up to two U.S.-flagged ships in their home yards, if they invest in American facilities and share technology. The White House frames this as a pressure valve to add near-term capacity while new domestic yards and workers ramp up. Coverage in Asia highlights keen interest from allied shipbuilders who deliver ships faster and at lower cost than U.S. yards today.

This move fits the administration’s wider Maritime Action Plan under Executive Order 14269. The plan seeks new money for shipyards, training for welders and fitters, and predictable orders to keep lines warm. Supporters say a small foreign build carve-out can jump-start deliveries now while America rebuilds at home. Critics warn it risks dependency and could weaken the case for urgent domestic upgrades if near-term needs get met offshore.

Costs, Timelines, and the Shared Frustration With Bottlenecks

Design reversals on a ship already in planning can add cost, slow work, and ripple through supply chains. Reuters notes the carrier change alone could run to hundreds of millions of dollars, before training and spares are counted. The administration counters that reliability at sea saves money later and keeps air wings flying. Both sides point to the same pain point: years of missed timelines, thin supplier benches, and government red tape that leave taxpayers paying more for less ship.

For readers tired of promises from Washington, the stakes are simple. The Navy needs ships that work, delivered on time and on budget. The White House is betting that older, proven launch gear and a narrow foreign-build option will cut risk and add capacity faster. If the plan delivers, crews get reliable tools sooner. If it stumbles, taxpayers eat redesign costs while the fleet waits. Either way, this is a test of whether policy can beat bureaucracy and backlog.

Sources:

theguardian.com, reuters.com, openmarketsinstitute.org, semafor.com, whitehouse.gov, cnbc.com, responsiblestatecraft.org

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