EPISODE 027: THE TRUMP-CLASS BATTLESHIP — AMERICA'S NEXT IRON FIST

December 23, 2025

Not symbolism. Not nostalgia.

This is naval shock and awe reborn.

In a move that shattered decades of post-Cold War naval doctrine, former President—and now again commander-in-chief—Donald J. Trump announced on December 22, 2025, the immediate initiation of construction for two new “Trump-class” battleships, with an audacious long-term vision: a fleet of 25.

And these aren’t your grandfather’s Iowa-class relics.

These are floating fortresses—100,000-ton leviathans designed to dominate the seas through sheer mass, firepower, and AI-woven lethality. They represent more than steel and circuitry. They signal a fundamental pivot in American maritime strategy: from carrier-centric expeditionary warfare to capital ship supremacy in the face of rising Chinese and Russian naval ambition.

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WHAT IS THE TRUMP-CLASS?

Described by Navy Secretary John F. Phelan as “*just one element of the Golden Fleet that President Trump intends to build*,” the Trump-class battleship is a deliberate anachronism turned futuristic weapon.

• Displacement: Over 100,000 tons – exceeding even the Gerald R. Ford-class carriers.
• Armament: Dual electromagnetic railgun batteries, hypersonic missile silos capable of striking 1,500+ nautical miles inland, and layered AI-integrated point-defense systems that fuse radar, lidar, drone swarms, and cyber countermeasures into a single kill web.
• Cost: Estimated $15–20 billion per hull—a figure that has already ignited congressional firestorms.

Unlike today’s surface combatants, optimized for stealth and flexibility, the Trump-class embraces visibility. It is meant to be seen, feared, and respected—a 21st-century dreadnought built not just to survive peer combat, but to end it in the first salvo.

“This isn’t about deterrence through ambiguity,” Phelan stated in a Pentagon briefing. “This is deterrence through overmatch.”

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STRATEGIC CONTEXT: END OF THE CARRIER ERA?

For 80 years, the U.S. Navy’s identity has been tied to the aircraft carrier—a floating airbase projecting power across oceans. But with Chinese DF-21D “carrier-killer” missiles, Russian Poseidon torpedoes, and AI-enabled swarm drones, the supercarrier is increasingly vulnerable.

Enter the Trump-class.

These vessels are engineered for survivability under saturation attack: armored citadels, redundant AI combat nodes, electromagnetic pulse hardening, and modular damage-control systems that allow partial mission continuity even after catastrophic hits.

Critics deride the plan as fantasy economics:

• Budget constraints: $500 billion+ for 25 ships—before maintenance, crews, or weapons integration.
• Industrial incapacity: U.S. shipyards haven’t built a true battleship since 1944.
• Tactical obsolescence: Can any single platform dominate in an era of distributed lethality?

Yet proponents argue that distributed doesn’t mean undefeatable—and that a handful of Trump-class behemoths could anchor carrier strike groups or operate independently as sovereign combat zones, capable of holding entire coastlines at risk.

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INTERNATIONAL REACTIONS

The world is watching—and recalculating:

Reuters: “Trump’s battleship order marks the boldest rearmament gamble since Reagan’s 600-ship Navy—except this time, it’s built around AI and hypersonics.”
Read more

BBC News: “The U.S. appears to be reviving Mahanian sea power theory—with a Silicon Valley twist.”
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The Wall Street Journal: “Phelan’s ‘Golden Fleet’ isn’t just metal—it’s a manifesto: America will dominate the seas by sheer will, wealth, and weight.”
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Defense News: “At 100,000 tons and bristling with hypersonics, the Trump-class isn’t a ship—it’s a statement.”
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Janes: “If even half of this fleet materializes, it will force a complete reassessment of naval balance in the Pacific and North Atlantic.”
Read more

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THE BIGGER PICTURE

The Trump-class battleship isn’t just hardware—it’s ideology in motion.

It rejects the postmodern logic of networked, lean, and agile warfare in favor of monolithic dominance. It assumes that future wars will be decided not by who hacks faster, but by who survives longer and strikes harder.

In an age where every camera can be a spotter and every civilian app a vector of intelligence—as seen with Russia’s Matrix platform—perhaps the counter isn’t more data, but more armor. Not just digital resilience, but physical invincibility.

Or at least the illusion of it.

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The seas are changing.
The question isn’t whether the world needs a 100,000-ton AI battleship.
It’s whether America believes it can build one—and whether its enemies believe it won’t.

Sources

1. Reuters — Trump orders construction of two Trump-class battleships, eyes fleet of 25
2. BBC News — US Navy to build Trump-class battleships in major fleet expansion
3. The Wall Street Journal — Phelan unveils 'Golden Fleet' vision with Trump battleships
4. Defense News — Trump-class: 100,000-ton behemoths with hypersonics planned
5. Janes — U.S. battleship revival: Trump pushes for 25 new capital ships

Admiral Daryl Codle appointed Chief of Naval Operations of the United States

New assignment in the U.S. Navy Command

Admiral Daryl Codle officially accepted the position of the top officer of the US Navy on Monday, ending a six-month vacancy period following the mass dismissals of fleet leaders. The appointment came amid a series of resignations related to the decision of Defense Minister Pete Hegseth.

The dismissals of Codl's predecessors were initiated by the Trump administration and the Secretary of Defense without giving detailed explanations of the reasons. During the ceremony at the Washington Navy Yard, the admiral's close relationship with the leadership of the presidential administration was emphasized several times.

Admiral Codl's appointment as Chief of Naval Operations symbolizes the stabilization of the fleet command. His leadership will focus on strengthening the operational capabilities and overcoming the internal challenges of the US Navy.

The US Navy has allocated $2.9 billion to Pratt & Whitney for F135 engines for F-35 fighter jets

141 engine contract for Navy and Allies

The US Navy has signed a $2.9 billion contract with Pratt & Whitney for the production of F135 engines for fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighters. The agreement provides for the supply of 141 engines to be installed on aircraft for the US Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy, as well as for countries participating in the international F—35 program and foreign military customers.

This contract is part of the Defense Ministry's long-term strategy to maintain and grow the F-35 fleet, the most massive fifth-generation fighter in the world. The engines will be manufactured at Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation.

The role of the F135 in the F program-The F135 engine is the heart of the F-35 fighter and provides unique characteristics, including supersonic speed, low visibility and high maneuverability. For the F-35B version used by the Marine Corps, the engine is equipped with a vertical takeoff and landing (STOVL) system, which allows the aircraft to be operated from aircraft carriers and forward bases.

Reliability, maintainability and unification of engines play a key role in reducing operating costs and ensuring high fleet availability.

Support for global operational compatibility

The supply of engines not only for the American armed forces, but also for international partners — Australia, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Northern Europe and others — underlines the importance of standardization. A single propulsion platform simplifies logistics, staff training, and joint operations within NATO and other alliances.

Pratt & Whitney and the future of fifth-generation engines

Pratt & Whitney has remained a key supplier of power plants for the F-35 program since its launch. At the same time, the company is actively involved in the development of a new line of engines — the Engine Upgrade Program (EUP) and Adaptive Engine Transition Program (AETP), which are designed to provide the F-35 with even greater thrust, fuel efficiency and the ability to accommodate new systems.

This contract strengthens Pratt & Whitney's position as a leading developer of military aircraft engines and confirms the long-term perspective of the F-35 program.

The Pentagon dismissed the heads of the Navy Reserve and the Navy Special Operations Command

Removal of the heads of the US Navy at the Pentagon

The U.S. Naval Reserve and the Navy's Special Operations Command lost their heads, Vice Admiral Nancy Lacore and Rear Admiral Milton "Jamie" Sands. Both officers were removed from their senior positions about a year after their appointment.

Causes and consequences of layoffs

The reasons for the resignations have not been officially disclosed, but such personnel changes affect the operational management and strategic planning of the Navy. The removal of two top officers in such a short period of time may indicate internal reorganization or inconsistency with the expectations of the Pentagon.

Importance to the U.S. Navy

These changes highlight the dynamism and complexity of command in the modern U.S. Navy. The appointment of new leaders and adaptation to changes play a key role in maintaining the combat capability and effectiveness of special operations.

The Pentagon wants to create two "kings of armaments" — who will rule the procurement of the Navy and the Air Force?

The Pentagon seems to have decided to bring order to the chaos with arms purchases. A large—scale reform is currently being discussed: two new super-duties are being created - literally "royal", as they have already been dubbed in behind-the-scenes conversations. These executives will have full control over the largest procurement programs, first the Navy and then the Air Force, and they will report directly to Deputy Secretary of Defense Steve Feinberg. The goal is to speed up decision—making, reduce bureaucracy, and finally bring to mind projects that have been drowning in reports and delays for years.

According to sources, Vice Admiral Robert Gaucher, an experienced commander of the Navy's submarine forces, is being considered for the role of the "tsar" of the submarine fleet. It is he who can take under his wing all underwater programs, including strategic nuclear submarines and the latest torpedoes. And on the Air Force side, Lieutenant General Dale White, the current Deputy Minister of Procurement, is likely to step into this role. He faces a difficult task: overseeing such gigantic projects as the B-21 Raider stealth bomber, the new F-47 fighter jet and, most acutely, the problematic Sentinel intercontinental missile, which has long been overdue and overspent its budget.

The scale of these new positions has not yet been definitively determined, but one thing is clear: the Pentagon is serious about reforming the system. If it works, it could be a turning point for the entire American defense.

Delays in new U.S. submarines endanger military power

The United States has big problems with the creation of new ultramodern submarines. According to a report that was recently sent to Congress, the development of the SSN(X) program — new generation attack submarines — seriously lagging behind . And this may have a bad effect on the combat readiness of the American fleet in the future.

The US military dreams of a submarine that will be invisible to radar, stay underwater for a long time and use autonomous technology. It sounds cool, but it won't turn out to be a reality as soon as we would like.

One of the main reasons is delays at all stages of construction. For example, the launch of a Columbia-class nuclear submarine has already been postponed due to the pandemic, a shortage of workers and problems with the supply of parts. And this is not an isolated case — the average delay for ships and submarines is now about two years.

The naval forces are trying to rectify the situation: they want to speed up the repair of equipment, use drones more actively and prepare for a possible conflict even with such a serious opponent as China. But so far, the situation doesn't look good — the industry just can't handle the workload.

In general, if nothing changes, there is a risk of a failure in the combat readiness of the fleet, especially in the long term.

Leidos Inc. has received a $17.5 million contract for the modernization of unmanned surface vessels of the U.S. Navy

Leidos Inc., based in Reston, Virginia, has received a modification contract worth US$ 17,548,483 for the maintenance and operation of unmanned surface vessels (OUSV) and medium-sized unmanned surface vehicles (MUSV) The U.S. Navy type "Overlord".

According to the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), the contract change falls under the current indefinite supply and indefinite quantity agreement.Work under this contract will primarily be performed in Reston, Virginia (51%) and Virginia Beach, Virginia (26%), as well as additional locations in La Jolla., California; Morgan City, Louisiana; Lexington Park, Maryland; Newport News, Virginia; and Bethpage, New York.

General Dynamics Mission Systems Secures $808.6 Million Contract for Advanced Torpedo Kits

 MK 54 MOD 1 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) has been awarded a substantial contract by the U.S. Navy, valued at up to $808.6 million. This contract focuses on the production of MK 54 MOD 1 light torpedo kits, along with related test equipment, spare parts, and engineering support. The initiative aims to significantly enhance the technical capabilities of the U.S. Navy's anti-submarine warfare (ASW) efforts by integrating advanced electronics into one of its most critical underwater weapons systems.

The MK 54 MOD 1 light torpedo is a vital component of the U.S. Navy's arsenal, designed to counter modern submarine threats. The integration of advanced electronics will not only improve the torpedo's accuracy and reliability but also enhance its overall effectiveness in various underwater combat scenarios. This upgrade is part of a broader strategy to maintain the U.S. Navy's technological edge in an increasingly complex and competitive maritime environment.

"This contract underscores the U.S. Navy's commitment to staying ahead of emerging underwater threats," said a spokesperson for General Dynamics Mission Systems. "The MK 54 MOD 1 light torpedo kits, equipped with the latest advancements in electronics, will provide our sailors with a decisive advantage in anti-submarine warfare."

The contract includes provisions for the production of the torpedo kits, as well as comprehensive support services to ensure the seamless integration and operation of the new technology. This holistic approach will ensure that the U.S. Navy can quickly and effectively deploy these advanced weapons systems, enhancing their readiness and capability to respond to any underwater threats.

The awarding of this contract to General Dynamics Mission Systems highlights the company's expertise and proven track record in delivering high-quality, innovative solutions for the defense sector. GDMS has a long-standing partnership with the U.S. Navy, providing cutting-edge technologies that support the Navy's mission to protect national security interests around the globe.

As the U.S. Navy continues to modernize its fleet and capabilities, contracts like this one play a crucial role in ensuring that the Navy remains at the forefront of technological innovation. The integration of advanced electronics into the MK 54 MOD 1 light torpedo kits is just one example of how the U.S. Navy is leveraging the latest technologies to enhance its operational effectiveness and maintain its status as a global maritime power.

With this contract, General Dynamics Mission Systems reaffirms its commitment to supporting the U.S. Navy's mission and contributing to the nation's defense capabilities. The successful execution of this program will not only bolster the Navy's anti-submarine warfare capabilities but also set a new standard for underwater weapons systems, ensuring that the U.S. Navy remains a formidable force in the world's oceans.

U.S. Navy Announces Names for Future Gerald R. Ford Class Nuclear Aircraft Carriers

In an official statement released yesterday, the U.S. Navy announced the official names of its future fifth and sixth Gerald R. Ford class nuclear aircraft carriers, namely CVN 82 and CVN 83. In particular, the aircraft carriers will be named after former American presidents William J. Clinton and George W. Bush, respectively, and the Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division of Huntington Ingalls Industries was responsible for their construction.

U.S. Navy Seeks Commercial Vessel for Medium Amphibious Assault Ship Program

The U.S. Navy is currently looking for a commercial vessel project to advance its long-delayed program to create a medium amphibious assault ship. Last month, the Navy halted the medium amphibious ship project due to high cost estimates and is now looking for commercial vessel designs to transport Marines during combat operations in the Pacific Ocean.