Full Breakdown
Trump Orders Redesign of Ford-Class Aircraft Carrier Amid Cost and Schedule Concerns
8/17/2026, 5:57:16 AM
Core Event: Presidential Memo Calls for Steam Catapults and Island Relocation
In August 2026 President Donald Trump signed a national-security memorandum directing the Department of Defense to develop, within 60 days, a plan to replace the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and advanced weapons elevators on the under-construction USS Doris Miller (CVN-81) with traditional steam-powered catapults and hydraulic elevators. The memo also orders a study of moving the carrier’s command “island” forward toward the ship’s mid-section.
Background & Context: EMALS Adoption and Ongoing Carrier Program
The Ford-class fleet introduced EMALS to launch aircraft at higher rates while reducing crew requirements—from roughly a dozen sailors per catapult to two. The lead ship, USS Gerald R. Ford, entered service in 2022 and has demonstrated the system’s benefits. USS Doris Miller, the fourth Ford-class hull, began construction in August 2021 and was projected for delivery in February 2034.
Timeline
- December 2025 – Trump unveiled a “Trump-class battleship,” signaling his interest in naval design.
- August 13 2026 – Memorandum ordering the redesign of USS Doris Miller was released; the 60-day planning deadline was set.
- March 2 2026 – USS Gerald R. Ford conducted flight operations in the Mediterranean, illustrating EMALS in action.
Key Figures & Groups
- Donald Trump – President of the United States.
- Pete Hegseth – Secretary of Defense, tasked with delivering the redesign plan.
- Hung Cao – Acting Secretary of the Navy, responsible for implementation.
- Mark Kelly – Democratic Senator from Arizona, former Navy test pilot and astronaut.
- Bryan Clark – Senior fellow, Hudson Institute, naval-technology analyst.
- General Atomics – Contractor building EMALS for the Ford class.
Data & Statistics
- General Atomics reports EMALS production for Doris Miller is roughly 50 % complete and cites a 2023 contract worth $1.2 billion.
- The electromagnetic system is credited with saving $100 million per year in crew and maintenance costs.
- The Ford-class program plans for up to ten carriers at an average projected cost of $22 billion each.
Official Statements & Responses
Navy officials have reiterated that the island’s current aft placement provides additional aircraft parking, reduces launch-deck turbulence, and improves landing safety.
Criticism & Opposition
Senator Mark Kelly called the redesign “costly” and questioned Trump’s qualifications to dictate carrier engineering. Bryan Clark described the island relocation as “very disruptive” and warned it could affect buoyancy and weight distribution, potentially delaying the program.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Outlets differ on the scope of the island study: some say it applies only to Doris Miller, others suggest a broader review of future Ford-class vessels. Cost estimates range from “billions” to “probably billions,” without a precise figure. The timeline for completing the redesign remains unclear, with analysts projecting a possible delay to the “end of the next decade.”
Why It Matters / Impact
Reverting to steam catapults reverses a decade-long modernization effort, potentially reducing launch efficiency and increasing crew requirements. The island relocation could compromise flight-deck operations designed to maximize sortie rates. Both changes risk extending the carrier’s construction timeline, affecting the Navy’s ability to maintain a two-to-three-carrier deployment posture.
