Trump orders the Navy to return to an older system of launching jets off aircraft carriers
President Donald Trump has directed the U.S. Navy to revert its newest aircraft carriers to using older steam catapults for launching fighter jets, replacing the advanced electromagnetic system. This decision, outlined in a directive issued Thursday, would cost billions of dollars and revert the Navy's most advanced ships to a system Trump has long preferred.
The mandate directs the Pentagon and Navy to present plans to remove the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) within two months, with the USS Doris Miller being the first ship to undergo these changes. While EMALS allows for faster launches and uses less space, it requires more sailors to operate and is more difficult to maintain.
The move comes amid funding struggles for the military and the Navy's ongoing recruitment challenges.
Written by urgent.news from Winnipeg Free Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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