Trump Unveils Ambitious Plans for New Navy Battleship
BATH, FL — President Donald Trump has announced a groundbreaking initiative to develop a new class of warship, dubbed the “battleship,” as part of his vision for a “Golden Fleet.” During a recent event at his Mar-a-Lago resort, Trump emphasized that this new vessel, the USS Defiant, will surpass all previous battleships in speed, size, and firepower. He claimed it would be “100 times more powerful than any battleship ever built.”
The USS Defiant is set to be larger than the historic Iowa-class battleships from World War II. It will feature advanced weaponry, including hypersonic missiles, nuclear cruise missiles, rail guns, and high-powered lasers, many of which are still under development by the Navy. This ambitious project aims to modernize the U.S. naval fleet and enhance its combat capabilities.
Charles F. Krugh, president of General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (GDBIW), expressed the shipyard’s readiness to support the Navy in this significant shipbuilding program. GDBIW has a long history of building Navy vessels and currently focuses on constructing Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers. As of September, eight destroyers were in various stages of construction at the shipyard, which employs approximately 6,700 workers and has invested significantly in recruitment and workforce development.
Challenges and Technological Hurdles Ahead
Trump’s announcement comes on the heels of the Navy’s recent decision to abandon plans for a new small warship due to delays and cost overruns. Instead, the Navy opted for a modified version of a Coast Guard cutter. This shift highlights ongoing challenges within the Navy, which has struggled to deliver new ships, including the Ford-class aircraft carrier and Columbia-class submarines, on time and within budget.
The Navy’s difficulties extend to the advanced technologies that Trump envisions for the USS Defiant. For instance, the service spent over 15 years and hundreds of millions of dollars attempting to deploy a railgun on a ship, only to abandon the project in 2021. While laser technology has seen some success, its deployment remains limited, with only a few systems currently operational on destroyers.
Additionally, the development of nuclear cruise missile capabilities raises concerns about compliance with international non-proliferation treaties. As the Navy embarks on this ambitious project, it faces the dual challenge of advancing technology while adhering to existing legal frameworks.
Defiant Drone Ship Gets Closer To Months-Long DARPA At Sea Demonstration
As the design phase for the USS Defiant begins, construction is projected to start in the early 2030s. Both Trump and Navy Secretary John Phelan have referred to the new vessel as a spiritual successor to the battleships of the past. However, the historical context of battleships has shifted significantly since World War II, with modern naval warfare increasingly favoring aircraft carriers and missile systems over traditional battleship designs.
The new “guided missile battleship” is expected to weigh around 35,000 tons, significantly lighter than the Iowa-class battleships, and will operate with a smaller crew of 650 to 850 sailors. As the Navy moves forward with this initiative, the focus will be on integrating cutting-edge technology while addressing the complexities of modern naval warfare.
