Former US President Donald Trump has issued a notable order to both the Pentagon and the US Navy, mandating a significant redesign of American aircraft carriers. The core of this directive is the instruction to incorporate steam catapults for the launch of jets from these vessels. This move, reported by The Guardian, marks a clear return to what the WSJ describes as “older technology” in naval aviation. The directive, formally conveyed through a new White House memo, is projected to carry substantial financial implications, with the WSJ indicating costs “costing billions.” These developments were widely reported on August 13, 2026, according to the publication dates embedded in the URLs from multiple news outlets, including USNI News.

Background to the Directive

This particular order from the former president is set to specifically impact “Ford Carriers,” as detailed by USNI News. The overarching mandate involves a restoration of older technology within the US naval fleet’s most advanced vessels. The decision to redesign US aircraft carriers to revert to steam catapults represents a considerable policy shift concerning the operational capabilities of these critical naval assets.

Return to Steam Catapults and Financial Outlays

The primary focus of Trump’s directive is the reintroduction of steam catapult systems for launching aircraft from carriers. This instruction specifically targets the Pentagon, directing it to implement the necessary changes for this technological shift, as highlighted by The Guardian. The financial burden associated with this reversal to older technology on aircraft carriers is explicitly cited by the WSJ as being “costing billions,” indicating a significant expenditure for the US defence budget.

Call for Foreign-Built Warships

Beyond the operational redesign of carrier launch systems, the new White House memo also contains another notable directive: a call for “foreign-built warships.” This aspect of the order, reported by USNI News, signals a broader re-evaluation of naval procurement strategies under the former administration’s influence. It suggests a potential departure from traditional domestic shipbuilding priorities, extending the scope of the naval policy beyond just the catapult systems on Ford Carriers to the very origin of naval vessel construction.

FAQ

• Q: What is the main directive from former President Trump regarding US aircraft carriers?

  A: Former President Trump has ordered the Pentagon to redesign US aircraft carriers to use steam catapults to launch jets, according to The Guardian.

• Q: What type of technology is being reintroduced?

  A: The order involves restoring “older technology” on aircraft carriers, specifically steam catapults, as highlighted by the WSJ.

• Q: What are the financial implications of this change?

  A: The WSJ reported that this return to older technology on aircraft carriers is projected to be “costing billions.”

• Q: Does the White House memo include any other significant directives?

  A: Yes, according to USNI News, the new White House memo also calls for “foreign-built warships.”

What this means for you

While the immediate implications of these changes to US aircraft carrier technology are largely centred on American defence policy and shipbuilding, such significant shifts in military strategy by a major global power can have far-reaching international consequences. For our readers in Liverpool, Merseyside, and indeed across the wider UK, decisions made by key allied nations can indirectly shape global stability, influence trends in defence spending, and impact international trade relationships. The specific call for “foreign-built warships,” as highlighted by USNI News, could potentially open new avenues for international defence manufacturers, though the precise relevance or opportunity for UK industry is not detailed within the provided source material. This development broadly highlights ongoing debates surrounding technological choices in defence and the strategic direction of naval power on a global scale.