- President Donald Trump has issued a directive ordering the US Navy to scrap its advanced electromagnetic launch system and return to traditional steam catapults on future aircraft carriers.
- The mandate requires the Pentagon and Navy to submit plans within two months to remove the technology, starting with the fourth Ford-class carrier, the USS Doris Miller.
- System manufacturer General Atomics urged reconsideration, saying that work on the vessel's catapults is halfway complete and changing course will introduce major risks and costs.
- Reverting to steam catapults will likely cost billions of dollars and require significantly more sailors to operate at a time when the Navy faces thousands of unfilled posts.
- The move contrasts with global rivals such as China, whose newest aircraft carriers employ electromagnetic catapult technology.
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