President Donald Trump has announced an ambitious initiative for the U.S. Navy to construct a new warship, referred to as a “battleship.” This vessel is intended to be part of a larger fleet known as the “Golden Fleet,” which will bear Trump’s name. During an event at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Trump stated, “They’ll be the fastest, the biggest, and by far 100 times more powerful than any battleship ever built.”
The first ship in this proposed class is set to be named the USS Defiant. According to Trump, it will surpass the size of the historic World War II-era Iowa-class battleships, featuring advanced weaponry such as hypersonic missiles, nuclear cruise missiles, rail guns, and high-powered lasers. These technologies are currently in various stages of development within the Navy.
This announcement follows the Navy’s recent decision to abandon plans for a new small warship due to significant delays and budget overruns. Instead, they will pursue a modified version of a Coast Guard cutter, which has been in production. Challenges have also arisen in completing other new naval designs, including the Ford-class aircraft carriers and Columbia-class submarines, which have seen similar issues with timelines and costs.
Challenges in Naval Technology Development
The Navy has faced difficulties in deploying some of the technologies Trump mentioned will be integrated into the new ship. After investing hundreds of millions of dollars and over 15 years into developing a railgun for naval use, the effort was ultimately abandoned in 2021. While laser technology has seen some success in recent years, its application remains limited. A laser system designed to blind or disable drone sensors is currently installed on eight destroyers after an eight-year development process.
Moreover, the development and deployment of nuclear cruise missile capabilities may conflict with non-proliferation treaties signed by the United States with Russia. A U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that design work for the USS Defiant is underway, with construction expected to commence in the early 2030s.
Traditionally, the U.S. Navy has named ship classes based on historical laws and customs, often using names of states, rivers, or cities. More recent classes, such as the Gerald R. Ford-class of aircraft carriers, have incorporated names of notable historical figures, including U.S. Navy Admiral Arleigh Burke.
Both Trump and Navy Secretary John Phelan have characterized the new Trump-class warship as a spiritual successor to the battleships of the 20th century. Historically, battleships were large, heavily armored vessels equipped with substantial artillery intended for naval engagements and bombardment tasks. This type of ship reached its zenith during World War II, with the largest U.S. battleships, the Iowa-class, weighing approximately 60,000 tons.
After World War II, the role of battleships diminished rapidly, giving way to aircraft carriers and long-range missile systems. In the 1980s, the Navy modernized four Iowa-class battleships, integrating cruise and anti-ship missiles along with updated radar systems. However, all four were decommissioned by the 1990s.
Future of the Trump-Class Warship
According to a newly launched website for the “Golden Fleet,” the proposed guided missile battleship will be comparable in size to the Iowa-class vessels but will weigh only about 35,000 tons and require significantly smaller crews, ranging from 650 to 850 sailors. Its primary arsenal will focus on missiles, moving away from traditional naval guns.
Throughout his career, Trump has expressed strong opinions regarding the Navy’s fleet, often advocating for the retention of older technologies rather than modernization. During his first term, he pushed for the return of steam-powered catapults for aircraft launches, despite the Navy’s shift to a more modern electromagnetic system. He has also communicated concerns to Phelan regarding the appearance of Navy destroyers, specifically mentioning issues with rust.
Phelan recounted to senators during his confirmation hearing that Trump has frequently contacted him late at night about “rusty ships” and other fleet issues. During a visit to a shipyard working on the now-canceled Constellation-class frigate in 2020, Trump claimed he personally altered the ship’s design, stating, “I looked at it, I said, ‘That’s a terrible-looking ship, let’s make it beautiful.'”
Trump emphasized that he intends to have a direct role in the design of the new warship, declaring, “The U.S. Navy will lead the design of these ships along with me, because I’m a very aesthetic person.” Phelan concluded that the new USS Defiant “will inspire awe and reverence for the American flag whenever it pulls into a foreign port.”
