US aircraft carriers could become worse due to Trump's whims – WP

The Washington Post reports that the US Navy is considering major design changes to the newest Ford-class aircraft carriers due to an effort to adapt the ships to President Donald Trump's personal aesthetic preferences. Discussions include moving the superstructure closer to the middle of the deck to visually resemble World War II-era ships, as well as a return to steam catapults. Experts warn of billions in costs and delays.

The Washington Post reports that the US Navy is considering major design changes to the newest Ford-class aircraft carriers. The reason is an effort to adapt the giant warships to President Donald Trump's personal aesthetic preferences. One key idea is moving the multi-story superstructure, the so-called "island," closer to the middle of the deck to visually resemble World War II warships. Specialists note that the current location of the "island" at the stern on Ford-class ships was not chosen by chance—it optimizes workspace near the catapults and reduces air turbulence during combat aircraft landings. Moving the superstructure would require complex redesign, which experts warn could cost billions of dollars and significantly delay ship deliveries. Additionally, the presidential administration is pushing for a plan to return to traditional steam catapults, abandoning modern electromagnetic systems. The Ford-class carrier construction program is planned for decades ahead—the Navy intends to build up to ten such ships, each costing approximately $22 billion. Such White House initiatives have already sparked controversy among military analysts and lawmakers concerned about defense program timelines and budgets.