Very outdated': Trump's directive to revert to steam catapults on new aircraft carrier baffles naval experts | CNN Politics

President Donald Trump has directed the U.S. Navy to drop the electromagnetic launch system on an upcoming aircraft carrier and switch back to older, steam-powered catapults, according to a White House memo and fact sheet released Thursday. The order directs Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to submit a plan within 60 days to install steam systems on the carrier being built as USS Doris Miller. Naval experts cited by CNN say the change is highly unusual and could add “billions” to the cost and delay deployment into the late 2030s. The Navy argues it will “fix critical long-term issues.” The shift would also likely require redesign work and finding a steam-catapult manufacturer.