Trump's Steam-Catapult Reset Splits X

President Donald Trump’s Aug. 13 national security memorandum gives the Navy 60 days to submit a plan replacing the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System and Advanced Weapons Elevators with steam and hydraulic systems on CVN-81. The memo frames the change as part of rebuilding shipbuilding capacity and using proven, affordable designs. 1

Reuters reports that CVN-81, the fourth Ford-class carrier, is slated for delivery in early 2034 and that changing course could cost hundreds of millions of dollars. General Atomics says production is nearly 50% complete and warns of cost, schedule and integration risks. AP and the Guardian independently reported the order and the dispute around EMALS. 234

The X sample is illustrative, not a poll: the White House’s official framing, Sen. Mark Kelly’s criticism and a risk-focused post from @Aviation_Intel. 567