Trump-class battleships and a grand revision of American naval thought: Can the U.S. beat China?

The U.S. Navy has unveiled a long-term fleet development strategy that includes a controversial plan for 15 nuclear-powered "Trump-class" battleships, projected to cost as much as $700 billion by 2055. The first vessel, costing nearly $17.5 billion, is slated for service in 2036, making it the most expensive planned warship in U.S. history, surpassing even the new Ford-class aircraft carriers.

This concept revives the idea of "arsenal ships" from the 1980s and 90s, envisioning massive platforms of 30,000-40,000 tons displacement, nearly 270 meters long, and armed with hypersonic missiles, laser weapons, and railguns. The goal is to create a "combat mass" – a single, large platform capable of both defense and offense – as a response to China's growing naval power. However, the technical design for these ships does not yet exist, and many of the proposed weapon systems are still under development.

Significant challenges plague the plan, particularly the condition of the U.S. shipbuilding industry. Only one shipyard is certified for nuclear propulsion installation, and the sector faces a shortage of specialized workers. Delays are common, with the latest Ford-class carrier already 36 months behind schedule. In the past decade, the U.S. has commissioned fewer than 50 new vessels, while China has launched over 100, outpacing the U.S. not only in quantity but also in adopting advanced technologies like serial hypersonic missile deployment.

While the U.S. plan also includes new aircraft carriers, submarines, destroyers, and frigates, many are based on existing designs with limited modernization potential. The article questions whether the U.S. can effectively counter China's rapid naval expansion and technological advancements, suggesting that if the U.S. does not mobilize now, China may claim the title of the world's leading naval power in the coming decades.