Trump Orders Pentagon to Scrap Modern Jet Launching Tech on New US Aircraft Carrier and Revert to Steam Catapults – Live In a move that has left military experts and lawmakers stunned, President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to scrap the modern electromagnetic aircraft launch system on the new US aircraft carrier, CVN 81, in favor of steam catapults.
This decision marks a significant setback for naval technology and reflects the president's penchant for meddling in areas where he lacks expertise.
The supposed superiority of steam catapults was touted by Trump as far back as 2017, when he claimed to have been convinced by a single conversation with a Navy officer that the electromagnetic system was too complex.