{
  "id": 821809,
  "title": "Trump allows Navy to build ships abroad, orders return to steam catapults on carriers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/trump-allows-navy-to-build-ships-abroad-orders-return-to-steam",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-14T00:54:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Channel News Asia",
    "slug": "channel-news-asia",
    "url": "https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/us-trump-navy-build-ships-steam-catapult-6318706"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On August 13, President Donald Trump issued a national security memorandum allowing the U.S. Navy to construct ships abroad and reinstating the use of steam catapults on aircraft carriers. This decision, which will affect the fourth ship in the Gerald R Ford class, is expected to incur significant costs in the billions of dollars. The switch from the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) to steam catapults is anticipated to provide cheaper and more effective functionality. The Doris Miller, the fourth ship in the Ford-class, is scheduled to have its keel laid by the end of 2026 with delivery by the Navy in early 2034. While EMALS was initially touted as a cost-effective and maintenance-friendly system, it has faced issues in its initial stages. Despite this, General Atomics, the maker of EMALS, has expressed concerns about the decision to revert to steam catapults, citing significant costs, schedule, and integration risks. The policy change also allows foreign shipbuilders with substantial investments in U.S. shipyards to temporarily build up to two ships in their home yards, temporarily bridging gaps in the domestic shipbuilding process.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "President Trump issues national security memorandum on August 13",
    "Navy allowed to build ships abroad, reinstates steam catapults",
    "Doris Miller ship's keel to be laid by end of 2026"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The policy shift enables foreign shipbuilders to contribute to US naval capacity and lets the Navy revert to familiar steam catapult technology, despite concerns about increased costs and effectiveness.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "NDTV",
        "title": "Trump Orders Navy To Return To Older System Of Launching Jets Off Aircraft Carriers",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/trump-orders-navy-to-return-to-older-system-of-launching-jets-off",
        "published": "2026-08-14T01:57:42.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Guardian US",
        "title": "Trump orders Pentagon to redesign US aircraft carrier to use steam catapults to launch jets",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/trump-orders-pentagon-to-redesign-us-aircraft-carrier-to-use-steam",
        "published": "2026-08-14T02:03:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Euronews",
        "title": "Trump orders Navy to return to older system of launching jets off aircraft carriers",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/trump-orders-navy-to-return-to-older-system-of-launching-jets-off-841933",
        "published": "2026-08-14T04:43:07.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}