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Trump orders US Navy to return to steam catapults
The memorandum directs Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to present a plan within 60 days for hydraulic catapult use on the Gerald Ford class, with the planned USS Doris Miller slated as the fourth ship in the six-vessel series.
President Donald Trump has ordered the US Navy to return to steam catapults for launching planes from aircraft carriers, acting on a long-running complaint even as many naval officers opposed the change, according to the SCMP Economy.
In a presidential memorandum, Trump directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to develop a plan within 60 days detailing what would be required to use hydraulic catapults on the next Gerald Ford-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.
The planned USS Doris Miller would be the fourth ship in the six-vessel Gerald R. Ford class. The Navy has faced problems with the modern electromagnetic system to launch jets off the first new carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, an issue that previously drew Trump’s attention and criticism, the outlet reported.
The SCMP Economy also noted Trump has recounted a servicemember’s comment that “steam is better,” adding that the system could be addressed with simple tools, reflecting his view that the older approach is more reliable.