Trump orders Navy to return to older jet-launch system on aircraft carriers
President Donald Trump is ordering the US Navy to remove the advanced system used to launch fighter jets from its newest type of aircraft carrier and return to using older steam catapults that he has long said he prefers, according to a directive issued Thursday.
The new mandate would likely cost billions of dollars and revert the Navy's most advanced ships to a system that takes more sailors to operate and is more difficult to maintain.
The memo directs the Pentagon and the Navy to present Trump with plans to remove the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System, also known as EMALS, within two months.
It also says the Ford-class carrier's electromagnetic weapons elevators should be replaced.
The move comes after years of Trump railing against the new, magnetically powered catapult system that shoots fighter jets off the deck of the carriers.
It also comes at a time when the US military is trying to find funding from Congress for all its desired equipment and as the Navy is struggling
Trump orders Navy back to steam catapults
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- Mark Kelly rips Trump over reported aircraft carrier overhaul, says stick to ‘bulls***’ Washington Examiner —
- Trump directs Navy to return to steam catapults on aircraft carriers The Hill —
- Trump allows Navy to build ships abroad, orders return to steam catapults on carriers Channel News Asia —
- Trump Orders Navy To Return To Older System Of Launching Jets Off Aircraft Carriers NDTV —