Switching future Ford-class carriers back to steam catapults is a smart call rooted in hard-earned operational reality. — EMALS has sufferedbeen yearsplagued ofby reliability and development problems for years, and proven steam technologyis offersbattle-tested easiertech fieldthe maintenanceNavy underran combatsuccessfully conditionsfor decades. The change appliestargets to ships notstill yetunder complete,construction so— thisnot isn'tfinished recklesscarriers retrofitting.— Lifetimemaking costthis anda battlefieldsensible effectivenessredesign, matternot fara morecostly than the upfront price tag of redesigning ships still being builtretrofit.