For posterity: Trump rants about magnets vs. water power for aircraft carrier catapults during speech to troops
PalmBeachPost
44,441 views Oct 29, 2025
President Donald Trump's speech to troops aboard the USS George Washington in Japan included a rant about magnets and hydraulic power, inaccurately claiming that water can disable magnets.
Magnetic catapults are used to launch planes from the latest Navy super aircraft carriers, using electromagnetic elevators to move weaponry to the flight deck. The systems can reportedly double the speed with which planes can be armed and launched.
“You know, the new thing is magnets. So instead of using hydraulic that can be hit by lightning and it’s fine. You take a little glass of water, you drop it on magnets, I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Trump said, before later insisting a change would be made. "When we build aircraft carriers, it’s steam for the catapults and it’s hydraulic for the elevators. We’ll never have a problem,” Trump said.
After hearing Trump pontificate, i wondered how experts felt (i don't know), unsurprizingly experts say Trumpis wrong on both catapults and elevators.
AI Overview
According to experts and the U.S. Navy, electromagnetic systems are inherently superior to traditional steam and hydraulic systems for aircraft carrier operations, despite initial reliability issues with the newer technology. The consensus is that while steam/hydraulic systems are proven and reliable, they are an "absolute dead end" in terms of future capability and efficiency.
Catapults: Electric (EMALS) vs. Steam
Experts widely agree that the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) offers significant advantages over steam catapults.
* Smoother acceleration: EMALS provides a uniform force throughout the launch, which significantly reduces stress and "airframe life expenditure" on the aircraft, a major drawback of the high initial "jolt" of a steam launch.
* Greater flexibility: EMALS can precisely adjust launch power for a wide variety of aircraft, from heavy fighter jets to light unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), something steam catapults struggle to do efficiently.
* Improved efficiency and maintenance: Electric systems are more compact, weigh less, use less energy, require less fresh water (eliminating the need for extensive desalination), and involve less maintenance and personnel compared to the complex piping and boilers of steam systems.
* Faster cycle times: EMALS recharges quicker, allowing for a 25% higher aircraft launch rate per day.
The main drawback of EMALS has been the initial developmental cost and reliability issues on the first Gerald R. Ford carrier, which has been working through these "teething issues" to improve the system.
Elevators: Electric (Magnets) vs. Hydraulic
The move to electric systems extends to other parts of the ship, including the Advanced Weapons Elevators (AWE).
* Reduced maintenance: Like the catapults, hydraulic and steam systems are generally considered a "maintenance nightmare" on Navy ships. Electric systems have fewer moving parts, reducing maintenance needs.
* Increased efficiency: Electric elevators are faster and more efficient, contributing to overall improved ship operations.
* Integration with future technology: The shift to "all-electric" ships, like the Ford-class carriers, allows for the integration of future high-energy systems, such as advanced radars and potential directed-energy weapons.
In summary, the consensus among experts and the Navy is that while the transition to electromagnetic and electric systems has presented challenges, their long-term benefits in performance, maintenance, and operational flexibility make them the superior choice for modern warships.
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