The Ship Model Forum

Trump was not happy with the EMALS the 1st time he was in office. Ford was still in debug mode at that time & it was not just the EMALS but other things like the bomb elevators having issues. it would probably cost an extra $1bn at least per ship to re-design & rebuild the 3 Ford class carriers to take steam catapults. I don't think that is going to happen.

Recent statements by President Trump suggest an intention to discontinue the use of the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) on U.S. Navy carriers and revert to traditional steam-powered catapults. :whistle:

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While this proposal would represent a significant policy reversal, it raises several technical, logistical, and financial considerations:

Performance: EMALS offers smoother acceleration and reduced stress on aircraft compared to steam systems.

Maintenance: Steam catapults are more mature but require extensive maintenance and complex plumbing systems.

Integration: Current carrier designs (e.g., Ford-class) were engineered specifically for EMALS, making retrofitting both costly and time-consuming.

Operational Readiness: A transition period could disrupt deployment schedules and pilot training programs.

At this stage, no formal directive has been issued, but engineering and procurement teams should remain aware of potential changes in defense policy that could impact ongoing modernization projects.