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Aircraft Carrier   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Policy  
Bloomberg • Anthony Capaccio

Trump orders Navy to replace Ford-class EMALS with traditional steam catapults

President Donald Trump has directed the U.S. Navy to abandon the electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) used on Gerald R. Ford-class carriers and return to steam catapults. The move reverses more than a decade of development, while China’s newest carriers and France’s next carrier are adopting electromagnetic launch technology.

Also: CNA, USNI News, The Independent and pilotonline.com
2026-08-13T15:36:33.651915-07:00
Aircraft Carrier   UAV Development & Drone Programs   Military Aircraft Procurement   Boeing  
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The Air Current • Carter Johnston

U.S. Navy quietly arming its uncrewed aerial tanker

By The Air Current: When Boeing personnel hoisted a prototype of its MQ-25 Stingray aerial refueling drone aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in June, the high-profile visit revealed a potential expansion of its role that has long been suspected but repeatedly denied by the Pentagon.

2026-08-13T16:12:59.291949-07:00
Aircraft Carrier   Middle East   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
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Wall Street Journal • Shelby Holliday, Yoko Kubota

U.S. Sending Fresh Aircraft Carrier to Middle East Amid Iran War Strain

By Wall Street Journal: The USS George Washington is set to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln, as lawmakers raised concerns about reports of poor conditions aboard the Lincoln after more than 250 days at sea.

Also: Seeking Alpha, CBS News, NBC News and 4 more
2026-08-13T16:05:16.959957-07:00
Aircraft Carrier   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Policy  
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Wall Street Journal • Marcus Weisgerber

Trump Orders Navy to Restore Older Tech on Aircraft Carriers, Costing Billions

By Wall Street Journal: President Trump has directed the Navy to tear out a complex system for launching jet fighters from its aircraft carriers and instead go back to using steam catapults, a move Navy officials have fought for years and will likely cost billions of dollars.

Also: Reuters
2026-08-13T14:29:18.361941-07:00
Aircraft Carrier   Middle East   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
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Reuters • Phil Stewart

Hegseth says reports about poor conditions aboard carrier are misrepresented

By Reuters: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Thursday that reports about poor conditions aboard aircraft carrier the USS Abraham Lincoln ​in the Middle East were "completely misrepresented.".

Also: The Independent and wavy.com
2026-08-13T09:20:50.476674-07:00