After years of criticizing the new electromagnetic catapults on the US Navy’s newest aircraft carriers, President Donald Trump is now officially pushing for a return to steam-powered systems for a future carrier.
The first Navy aircraft carrier to use electromagnetic catapults to launch aircraft was USS Gerald R. Ford, setting a new technology standard for future carriers.
During his first term in office, Trump railed against the new catapults, as well as the new weapons elevators, saying they “don’t work” and telling troops future carriers would use steam.
On Thursday, Trump released a memo on Navy shipbuilding and the industrial base. As part…
