Navy sends carrier system replacement proposal to White House
The Navy has finished a plan for replacing the weapons elevators and aircraft launch system on the carrier Doris Miller with older steam and hydraulic systems, following a directive from President Trump. The proposal has been sent to the Office of Management and Budget for delivery to the president.
Doris Miller (CVN-81) is a Gerald Ford-class carrier. The Navy’s proposal follows a presidential national security memorandum dated Aug. 13 and concerns replacing the ship’s weapons elevators and aircraft launch system with older steam and hydraulic equipment. A Navy official confirmed the plan’s completion to Inside Defense.
The document has been sent to the Office of Management and Budget for delivery to the president. The Oct. 22, 2026 report does not provide further details about the plan’s contents or schedule.
The review could affect Navy shipbuilders, component suppliers, sailors, and taxpayers because changing carrier elevator and launch systems may alter construction schedules, training, and maintenance needs. If the proposal advances, firms making legacy steam and hydraulic parts may see new demand, while advanced-system suppliers could face uncertainty. The public may ultimately feel effects through procurement costs and fleet readiness, though the proposal’s scope and timing remain unclear.