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Trump Orders Return of Steam Catapults on Carriers

August 14, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

Trump orders return of steam catapults on Ford-class carriers.
New component repair center to reduce submarine repair delays.
Fifth public shipyard to be established for submarine repair.
Changes aim to improve naval readiness and reduce maintenance costs.

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Strategic Implications

This decision may indicate a shift in naval procurement priorities, with a focus on proven technologies over newer systems. The establishment of a new public shipyard could suggest an effort to increase domestic shipbuilding capacity, which may have implications for the naval industrial base and could benefit companies involved in submarine repair.

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What Happened

President Revives Traditional Technology Amid EMALS Criticism

President Donald Trump has ordered the return of steam catapults on Ford-class aircraft carriers, reversing a previous decision to use the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS). The move is part of a broader effort to improve naval readiness and reduce maintenance costs, and also includes the establishment of a new component repair center and a fifth public shipyard for submarine repair. The changes were announced in a National Security Presidential Memorandum, as reported by Breaking Defense.

Source | Originally Published: August 13, 2026

Companies Mentioned