Trump Orders U.S. Navy to Return to Steam Catapults for Aircraft Carriers
The White House said President Trump signed a national security memorandum directing the U.S. Navy to replace electromagnetic aircraft launch systems with steam catapults on Gerald R. Ford-class carriers. The change could require major ship modifications and cost billions, according to the White House. Huntington Ingalls Industries is the primary Ford-class contractor.
How this was made
The 30-second read
Why it matters
A directive to abandon electromagnetic catapults implies potential redesign, shipyard work, and multi-year cost and schedule implications for carrier programs and related defense spending.
Market read
Traders may reprice defense shipbuilding and carrier program risk as the memo signals a major technology and cost-structure shift, though contract-level details are not provided.
What to watch
The article does not detail whether existing electromagnetic systems will be removed on already-built ships, how contracts will be amended, or what timeline and funding mechanism the Navy will use.
Background
The Navy’s Gerald R. Ford-class carriers use electromagnetic aircraft launch systems, replacing steam catapults used on older carriers.
Ticker impact
The article names Huntington Ingalls Industries as the primary contractor for Gerald R. Ford-class carriers, which may require costly redesign to switch launch systems.
Moderate upside risk to backlog visibility but near-term uncertainty on redesign costs and contract scope; net impact unclear without contract amendment details.
The text links HII to Ford-class construction and states the transition could cost billions and require extensive modifications, but it does not specify contract changes, compensation, or timing.
Market effects
Could increase near-term engineering and shipyard demand for carrier retrofits, while raising uncertainty around electromagnetic launch program economics across the defense industrial base.
US defense shipbuilding supply chain may see shifting workload and procurement priorities.
Carrier capability and readiness decisions can influence broader NATO and Indo-Pacific force posture expectations, but the article is US-focused.
Counterpoint
The order may be more about future procurement than immediate retrofits, limiting incremental financial impact to contractors beyond planning and engineering.
Key entities
- governmentU.S. Navy
Ordered to replace electromagnetic aircraft launch systems with steam catapults on Ford-class carriers.
- companyHuntington Ingalls Industries
Primary contractor for building Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers, potentially affected by redesign and retrofit scope.
- asset/programGerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers
Newest generation of U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carriers using electromagnetic launch technology.
