On December 22, 2025, from Mar-a-Lago in Florida, President D. Trump announced the launch of an ambitious program to upgrade the US Navy, with the central element being the creation of a new class of warships, known as “Trump”!
The program, as can be seen from the announcements, intends to bring back into service after many years, one of the most emblematic categories of warships, that of battleships, following the withdrawal of the USS Missouri, Iowa-class, from active service on March 31, 1992. It is part of the broader context of the Trumpian concept of a “Golden Fleet” (all of the new president’s programs are characterized as “golden”), with the aim of strengthening American naval supremacy in an environment of growing geopolitical challenges, mainly in the Southeast Asian region, in order to confront the growing power of China.
The announcement was made in the presence of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary of the Navy John Phelan. The new class of ships is described as the largest and most powerful warships ever designed by the United States, with a displacement of 30,000–40,000 tons, significantly larger than the current Arleigh Burke-class destroyers (about 10,000 tons).
The main features will include advanced polysonic weapons, 128 vertical launch missile cells, 12 extra large-section Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) cells, an electromagnetic cannon in the bow, as well as 2 5-inch cannons, 2 high-energy lasers and other smaller ones, 2 RAM launchers, 4 secondary 30 mm cannons, as well as active drone protection systems.
The design foresees the integration of advanced radars (such as the SPY-6 or a future derivative), control of unmanned vessels and drones, as well as the ability to operate as a flagship in battle groups.
The program foresees the immediate start of construction of two ships, with the first vessel to be named USS Defiant, and sets a long-term goal of producing 20–25 units. Construction will be done entirely in the US, with the aim of revitalizing the domestic shipbuilding industry and creating thousands of jobs. The timeline is estimated at 2.5–3 years per ship, with delivery of the first around 2030. John Phelan emphasized that the ships will be combined with smaller unmanned vehicles, while Pete Hegseth emphasized the connection with the reconstruction of the armed forces and the restoration of the “war morale”.
Obviously all of the above, especially the timetable, are in the realm of fantasy, as there is no initial design for the ship – beyond artistic depictions -, no shipyard has been found to undertake such construction, no budget and allocation of initial stage funds have been made, and much more. However, for the Trumpian logic of grandiose announcements, where various “golden-amazing-beautiful” equipment programs are announced, it does not matter much.
Regarding propulsion, the solutions that could be implemented are, on the one hand, the integrated electric propulsion (Integrated Electric Propulsion – IEP) on the model of the Zumwalt-class DDG 1000 destroyers and, on the other hand, the nuclear solution, with the choice of the A1B reactor (already used on the Ford-class aircraft carriers). In fact, the nuclear option seems realistically possible, in order to achieve high speeds (>30 knots) and unlimited autonomy. Of course, the similarity that the IEP technology offers cannot be overlooked, as it matches the current designs of the new DDG(X) class of destroyers (which probably also form the basis for the program) and provides the required electrical power for lasers, railguns and other high-energy weapons.
The second “nuclear” capability will involve the integration of the new SLCM-N (Sea-Launched Cruise Missile – Nuclear) cruise missile, which is currently under development by the US Navy. The program, which began during Trump’s first term in 2018 and was maintained with funding from Congress despite initial objections from the Biden administration, envisages the delivery of the first operational capability (IOC) around 2034. The missile, with dimensions similar to the Tomahawk and a variable power warhead between 5 and 150 kilotons (W80-4 ALT-SLCM), will enhance tactical nuclear deterrence against regional threats, especially against China and Russia, and can also be integrated into Virginia-class submarines.
Reinforcement move or another communication firework?
And of course, President Trump himself and Secretary of the Navy John Phelan used phrases of great exaggeration, describing the new class as:
- “The fastest, largest and 100 times more powerful ships than any battleship ever built.”
- “The USS Defiant will be the largest, deadliest, most versatile and best-looking ship in the world.”
- “When the USS Defiant appears on the horizon, American victory at sea will be inevitable.”
- “She will inspire awe and respect for the American flag wherever she calls at port.”
