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Trump Orders Navy to Ditch EMALS for Steam Catapults

August 14, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

Trump orders Navy to abandon EMALS on USS Doris Miller.
Steam catapults to replace EMALS on future carrier.
Decision may add hundreds of millions in redesign costs.
General Atomics warns of cost and integration risks.

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Strategic Implications

This decision may indicate a shift in the Navy's approach to carrier technology, potentially favoring proven systems over newer, more complex ones. The move could have significant implications for the Navy's procurement and development strategies, and may suggest a more cautious approach to adopting new technologies.

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What Happened

President Reverses Course on Electromagnetic Launch System

President Trump has ordered the Navy to abandon the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) on the future USS Doris Miller and replace it with traditional steam catapults. The decision, which was announced in a national-security memorandum, may add hundreds of millions of dollars in redesign costs and has been met with criticism from General Atomics, the company that builds EMALS. The move is seen as a reversal of the Navy’s 25-year investment in the electromagnetic launch system, and may have significant implications for the Navy’s procurement and development strategies. This development was first reported by USNI News and Breaking Defense.

Source | Originally Published: August 14, 2026

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