An F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, launches from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in support of Operation Epic Fury, Feb. 28, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo)
By Tony Capaccio
Aug 13, 2026 (Bloomberg) –President Donald Trump ordered the Navy to return to using steam catapults to launch planes off of aircraft carriers, acting on a longtime complaint despite opposition from many naval officers.
In a presidential memorandum, Trump ordered Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to come up with a plan within 60 days on what would be needed to use hydraulic catapults in the next Gerald Ford-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. The planned USS Doris Miller will be the fourth ship in the six-vessel Gerald R. Ford class of aircraft carriers.
The Navy has struggled with problems surrounding its modern electromagnetic system to launch jets off the first of the new aircraft carriers, the USS Gerald R. Ford. That issue caught Trump’s attention several years ago, and he’s criticized it frequently since, including last month, when he recounted how a service-member complained about the newer system.
Read more: Navy’s Priciest Carrier Ever Struggles to Get Jets On, Off Deck
“He said, steam is better, sir,” Trump said. “We can fix it with a hammer and a blowtorch.”
The decision will likely cost hundreds of millions of dollars given that the future aircraft carriers will require major redesign to include steam catapults. Naval officers have argued that the newer system is an improvement, saying it requires far less pre- and post-flight checking and maintenance.
The catapult order was one part of a memorandum that represents the next step in Trump’s push to revive US shipbuilding. He ordered Hegseth to come up with a plan to build a fifth Navy shipyard and develop a new “competitive acquisition approach” for surface ships that can target submarines and serve as convoy escorts.
© 2026 Bloomberg L.P.
This article contains reporting from Bloomberg, published under license.
Sign up for gCaptain’s newsletter and never miss an update
Essential maritime and offshore news, insights, and updates delivered daily straight to your inbox
The U.S. Army has used up much of its stockpile of highly accurate long-range missiles during its five-month war with Iran, according to three people familiar with the data, raising concerns about the military's readiness for future conflicts.
Germany scrapped a landmark frigate program following delays and expected cost overruns, sending shares in the country's top defense firm Rheinmetall RHMG.DE, which was supposed to get the contract, into a tailspin on Wednesday.
He wasn’t sightseeing. He was helping America see itself. By Bruce Kimbrell (Policy Op-Ed) Why a Road Trip? They called it a vanity project that was out of touch. A family vacation...
Subscribe to gCaptain Daily and stay informed with the latest global maritime and offshore news
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up
Join The Club
