NewsUS NewsDonald TrumpUS President Donald Trump has issued a controversial order to revert aircraft carrier technology to an old steam take-off method, a refit which will cost the US military billions of dollars13:42, 14 Aug 2026US President Donald Trump has ordered a multi-billion pound ditching of new and high-tech aircraft carrier launching systems for the traditional steam-driven catapult and take-off ramps.‌He has also told Navy and Pentagon chiefs to replace USS Ford’s electromagnetic weapons systems with a different system of lifting weaponry. Trump has long complained about the digital system that governs how America’s modern-day fast jets take to the air off US aircraft carriers.‌And the switch-back to the old system is likely to cost many billions at a period when the war in Iran is depleting America’s weapons and missiles. The old system of launching will also mean more sailors have to become involved in the less-automated process of taking off during combat missions. Under the more modern system currently in use - the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System - many experts believe it launches planes at faster speeds.‌It is also believed to be easier to maintain at sea, takes up far less space on the vessel and the Trump changes come at a time when the US Navy is short of sailors. At the start of the year, the US Navy had about 20,000 unfilled posts across the fleet. In February, the Navy touted the modern take-off system in a press release that said it allowed the USS Ford to launch and recover aircraft at a higher rate than its predecessor, the Nimitz-class ships.‌His directive orders the fourth Ford-class carrier, the USS Doris Miller, to be the first ship to include the new changes. That will leave the USS Gerald R. Ford, which is currently in the Middle East, untouched. Trump’s discomfort with the new technology goes back to at least 2017 in his first term.Then he said the new system is “not good” and “doesn’t have the power” of the older, steam systems in an interview with Time magazine. He said: “You’re going to goddamned steam.” And he has repeated his obsession with old carrier technology on many occasions. As Trump tries to turn back the latest technology, China’s new aircraft carriers employ electromagnetic catapults, and France plans to use the system on its new carrier.Article continues belowDefence Secretary Pete Hegseth said recently that the cost of the Iran war cost grew to £28 billion so far but it is possible it has cost much more. British jets take off from £3.5bn Royal Navy aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales using a ski-ramp at the bow of the ship. This is instead of using steam or electromagnetic catapults and is called the Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing variant specifically for the F-35B Lightning II fighter.But this decision was controversial since the vertical landing mechanism and manoeuvring involved uses up lots of fuel , significantly reducing the range of the plane on operations.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌Middle EastRoyal NavyDonald TrumpRoyal FamilyArmed forcesIranUS Navy