From battleships to catapults, Donald Trump keeps messing with the navy
His obsessions will prove costly
For decades, U.S. presidents have sought to bolster America’s naval might. Donald Trump, however, appears particularly enamored with the United States Navy’s capabilities, as evidenced by his comments on the "Victory at Sea" documentary and his remarks at the 2024 Republican National Convention. He has discussed redesigning warship bows to resemble yachts, a claim met with indifference from the shipyard workers.
The U.S. Navy currently struggles with fewer than 300 operational ships, despite a congressional mandate mandating 355. China has over 370 naval vessels, prompting Trump to take action. In December, he ordered the construction of new "Trump-class" ships equipped with missile launchers, laser weapons, and electromagnetic rail-guns. These larger battleships may pose risks, as fewer ships could be riskier than a larger fleet of smaller vessels.
Trump's most recent directive, however, has stirred controversy. He ordered a return to steam-driven catapults on new aircraft carriers, despite their outdated technology and numerous drawbacks. Electromagnetic Launch Systems (EMALS) have proven reliable, with the USS Gerald R. Ford completing a 326-day deployment, launching 12,000 aircraft. Analysts believe EMALS delivers a 20% higher sortie rate than steam-based launchers, providing smoother acceleration and allowing for the launch of smaller, less robust drones.
Trump's choice to revert to steam-driven catapults on the USS Doris Miller, despite its additional costs and redesign requirements, could further strain the already burdened fleet. The conversion process would incur hundreds of millions in additional expenses, pushing the ship's budget beyond the $15bn already allocated. Moreover, steam-powered catapults may strain the nuclear power plant, which is already optimized for electricity generation.
Despite his unconventional approach, Trump does recognize the value of proven technologies and aims to attract foreign investment to American shipyards. However, his insistence on outdated systems could create delays in ship production, leaving gaps in the fleet. The ongoing war in Iran has underscored the importance of having a reliable fleet, but the current stretched deployment schedule could exacerbate vulnerabilities.
Written by urgent.news from Hindustan Times - World News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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