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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Konstantin Toropin

Trump finally orders Navy to return to older steam catapults in obsession that could cost billions

Navy Donald Trump United States Pete Hegseth Pentagon
US President Donald Trump leaves after announcing the US Navy's new Golden Fleet initiative, unveiling a new class of warships, at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, on December 22, 2025 - (AFP/Getty)

Donald Trump has ordered the US Navy to return to using old steam catapults to launch fighter jets, in a move that has been a bizarre obsession for the President in recent years.

Trump told the Navy to remove the advanced system used to launch fighter jets from its newest type of aircraft carrier, according to a directive issued Thursday.

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