Trump wants US carriers redesigned to look like WWII warships

The US Navy is studying whether to move the command tower on its Ford-class aircraft carriers to satisfy President Trump's preference for a design resembling older World War II-era ships, according to seven current and former US officials who spoke to the Washington Post. The review focuses on the carrier's 'island', the multistory command tower. On current Ford-class carriers, the island sits near the rear, but Trump wants it moved farther forward. Officials cautioned that such a redesign would demand enormous time and money. A similar study during Trump's first term found that moving the island could cost billions and significantly delay shipbuilding.

This is not the only design change Trump has pushed. On Thursday, he signed a national security memorandum instructing the Navy to plan for bringing back older steam-powered catapults on future carriers instead of modern technology. Officials say these moves reflect Trump's preference for carriers that look more like those from World War II. Three Ford-class carriers are in development: the USS John F. Kennedy is undergoing sea trials, while the USS Enterprise and USS Doris Miller are under construction. The first ship, USS Gerald R. Ford, is already active. The Navy plans to build up to 10 Ford-class carriers over the next four decades, each projected to cost around $22 billion.