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New US Aircraft Carriers’ Catapults Will Use… STEAM, Trump Says

© Photo : US Marine Corps // Cpl. Ryan G. ColemanThe amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1)
The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) - Sputnik International
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Earlier this year, the US Navy announced plans to purchase an additional two Ford-class aircraft carriers equipped with the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) which has repeatedly been criticised by President Donald Trump.

President Donald Trump has once again called for equipping US aircraft carriers with traditional steam powered catapults rather than newer electromagnetic systems which he claimed may malfunction during warfare.

“We’re spending all that money on electric and nobody knows what it’s going to be like in bad conditions. So I think I’m going to put an order — when we build a new aircraft carrier, we’re going to use steam”, he told sailors and marines on board the USS Wasp during his visit to the Yokosuka Naval Base south of Tokyo.

READ MORE: New US Aircraft Carrier With ‘No Good’ ‘Digital’ Catapult 75 Percent Done

He upheld his view by insisting that steam catapults work much better that higher-tech Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS).

“Steam’s only worked for about 65 years perfectly. And I won’t tell you this because it’s before my time by a little bit, but they have a $900 million cost overrun on this crazy electric catapult.  They want to show — next, next, next. And we all want innovation, but it’s too much”, Trump added.

READ MORE: US Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier Suffers Propulsion System Breakdown at Sea

The aircraft carrier group of the United States Navy led by USS Harry S. Truman, front, and a ship escort are seen leaving the port of Norfolk heading for the Middle East - Sputnik International
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His remarks come after Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said earlier this year that the US Navy announced plans to purchase an additional two Ford-class aircraft carriers equipped with EMALS.

Trump has repeatedly expressed doubt over EMALS’ efficiency, especially in combat conditions, something that he apparently wanted to underscore during a Thanksgiving Day call with a US sailor in 2018, when the US president wondered whether the sailor wants to “go with steam or electromagnetic” aircraft catapults.

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