U.S. President Trump on Monday announced plans for a new "Trump class" of battleships, marking the start of an expanded naval buildup and signaling increased scrutiny of defense contractors over production delays and
U.S. President Trump on Monday announced plans for a new "Trump class" of battleships, marking the start of an expanded naval buildup and signaling increased scrutiny of defense contractors over production delays and cost overruns.
Trump said the new battleships would be larger, faster and "100 times more powerful" than any previously built, forming the centerpiece of what he called an expanded "Golden Fleet" aimed at cementing U.S. naval dominance.
The program will begin with two vessels and is expected to grow to between 20 and 25 ships, Trump said. The first of the class will be christened the USS Defiant.
The announcement represents the latest example of the president rebranding an aspect of the federal government in his image. Trump, who has previously criticized the appearance of U.S. warships, said he will be personally involved in the designs.
He said the ships will weigh more than 30,000 tons, larger than current destroyers, and be equipped with the latest technology, including artificial intelligence and directed energy lasers.
"We haven't built a battleship since 1994. These cutting-edge vessels will be some of the most lethal surface warfare ships ... other than our submarines," Trump said.
In addition to carrying conventional naval
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