特朗普总统已下令美国海军移除福特级航母上的电磁飞机弹射系统（EMALS），改用传统蒸汽弹射器[1]。这一指令同时要求更换福特级航母的电磁武器电梯[1]。五角大楼和海军被要求在两个月内提出实施移除的计划[1]。
USS Doris Miller（第四艘福特级航母）将成为首艘实施这一变化的舰船[1]。这项改革可能耗资数十亿美元，并会增加人员需求和维护难度[1]。电磁系统原本可将操作弹射器所需人员从约12人减至2人[1]。特朗普早在2017年第一任期就曾对这套新系统提出批评[1]。中国最新航母采用了电磁弹射系统，法国也计划在新航母上使用该技术[1]。
President Trump has directed the U.S. Navy to remove the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) from Ford-class aircraft carriers and revert to conventional steam catapults.[1] The order also mandates the replacement of electromagnetic weapons elevators on these vessels.[1] The Pentagon and Navy have been given two months to develop a plan for removing the systems.[1]
The USS Doris Miller, the fourth Ford-class carrier, will be the first ship to undergo this conversion.[1] The shift represents a significant operational and financial undertaking, potentially costing billions of dollars.[1] The electromagnetic system currently reduces the personnel required to operate catapults from approximately twelve people to just two,[1] meaning the transition back to steam catapults would increase staffing demands at a time when the Navy's entire fleet faces approximately 20,000 unfilled positions.[1]
Trump first criticized the new system during his initial term in 2017.[1] His latest directive comes as the administration proposes a defense budget of 1.5 trillion dollars,[1] while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently estimated the cost of potential conflict with Iran at 37.5 billion dollars.[1] Meanwhile, China's newest aircraft carrier employs electromagnetic catapults, and France is planning to incorporate the same system on its new carrier.[1]