Key Takeaways:
- President Trump has announced a plan to build a new, large warship called a "battleship" as part of a larger vision to create a "Golden Fleet"
- The ship, named the USS Defiant, will be longer and larger than World War II-era Iowa-class battleships and will be armed with hypersonic missiles, nuclear cruise missiles, rail guns, and high-powered lasers
- The Navy has struggled to field some of the technologies that will be aboard the new ship, including rail guns and laser technology
- The development of nuclear cruise missile capabilities may violate non-proliferation treaties that the U.S. has signed with Russia
- The new ship is expected to be roughly the same size as Iowa-class battleships but will weigh about half as much and have far smaller crews
Introduction to the New Warship Plan
President Trump has announced a bold plan for the Navy to build a new, large warship that he is calling a "battleship" as part of a larger vision to create a "Golden Fleet." The ship, the first of which will be named the USS Defiant, will be longer and larger than the World War II-era Iowa-class battleships and will be armed with hypersonic missiles, nuclear cruise missiles, rail guns, and high-powered lasers. According to Trump, the ship will be the fastest, the biggest, and by far 100 times more powerful than any battleship ever built. The announcement was made at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, where he outlined his vision for the new warship and its role in the Navy’s fleet.
Challenges and Controversies Surrounding the New Warship
The announcement comes just a month after the Navy scrapped its plans to build a new, small warship, citing growing delays and cost overruns. The Navy has also struggled to build its other newly designed ships, such as the Ford-class aircraft carrier and Columbia-class submarines, on time and on budget. Furthermore, the Navy has faced challenges in fielding some of the technologies that Trump says will be aboard the new ship, including rail guns and laser technology. The Navy spent hundreds of millions of dollars and more than 15 years trying to field a railgun aboard a ship before finally abandoning the effort in 2021. Additionally, developing nuclear cruise missile capabilities or deploying them on ships may also violate non-proliferation treaties that the U.S. has signed with Russia.
Design and Construction of the New Warship
A U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing plans, told The Associated Press that design efforts are now underway for the new ship and construction is planned to begin in the early 2030s. Both Trump and Navy Secretary John Phelan spoke about the new Trump-class warship as a spiritual successor to the battleships of the 20th century. However, historically, the term "battleship" has referred to a very specific type of ship – a large, heavily armored vessel armed with massive guns designed to bombard other ships or targets ashore. The new ship is expected to be roughly the same size as Iowa-class battleships but will weigh about half as much, around 35,000 tons, and have far smaller crews – between 650 and 850 sailors.
Trump’s Involvement in the Navy’s Fleet
Trump has long held strong opinions on specific aspects of the Navy’s fleet, sometimes with a view toward keeping older technology instead of modernizing. During his first term, he unsuccessfully called for the return to steam-powered catapults to launch jets from the Navy’s newest aircraft carriers instead of the more modern electromagnetic system. He has also complained to Phelan about the look of the Navy’s destroyers and decried Navy ships being covered in rust. Phelan told senators at his confirmation hearing that Trump "has texted me numerous times very late at night, sometimes after one (o’clock) in the morning" about "rusty ships or ships in a yard, asking me what am I doing about it." Trump has also said that he will have a direct role in designing the new warship, stating that "the U.S. Navy will lead the design of these ships along with me, because I’m a very aesthetic person."
Conclusion and Expectations
The new USS Defiant is expected to be a significant addition to the Navy’s fleet, with its advanced technologies and capabilities. However, the development of the ship is not without its challenges and controversies. The Navy will need to overcome the technical and logistical hurdles associated with fielding new technologies, while also addressing concerns about the ship’s design and construction. Phelan said the new USS Defiant "will inspire awe and reverence for the American flag whenever it pulls into a foreign port." As the design and construction of the ship move forward, it will be important to monitor the progress and address any challenges that arise to ensure that the USS Defiant meets its intended goals and expectations.
