Trump Directs Navy to Swap EMALS for Steam Catapults Fleetwide

A White House action published August 13, 2026 directs the Navy to replace EMALS — the electromagnetic system that launches aircraft off carrier decks — with older steam catapults across the entire fleet. Ford-class carriers in service would need retrofits; those under construction, redesigns. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) said the reversal moves the Navy backward.