On Dec 22, 2025, the U.S. Navy signaled a historic pivot from "distributed lethality" to "concentrated mass" with the unveiling of the Golden Fleet. The initiative introduces the 35,000-ton Trump-class battleship (BBG-1 USS Defiant), nuclear-armed with railguns and hypersonic missiles. This "Department of War" doctrine seeks to restore Mahanian sea control through intimidation and aesthetics, leveraging South Korean industrial capacity (Hanwha) to bypass domestic bottlenecks. It represents the most significant disruption to naval strategy since the Reagan era.
The announcement at Mar-a-Lago was not merely a procurement update; it was a theatrical declaration of a new era. Flanked by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, the President unveiled a fleet designed to be "100 times more powerful" than the WWII-era Iowa class.
Central to this vision is a rejection of the "ugly" utilitarianism of the Zumwalt and LCS classes, replacing them with vessels designed for psychological impact. This shift is codified in Executive Order 14347, which rebrands the Department of Defense to the "Department of War" to instill a "Warrior Ethos."
The Trump-Class Battleship (BBG)
The lead ship, USS Defiant, creates a new category of "Super Cruiser" or "Light Battleship." Displacing up to 40,000 tons, it dwarfs the 9,700-ton Arleigh Burke destroyers that currently form the backbone of the fleet.
Displacement Comparison (Tons)
Technical Capabilities
- Electromagnetic Railguns: The sheer size of the hull allows for massive power generation to drive railguns capable of firing hypervelocity projectiles over 100nm.
- High-Power Lasers: 100-300kW class directed energy weapons for "hard kill" missile defense.
- Hypersonic Arsenal: A "Conventional Prompt Strike" VLS bank specifically for hypersonic glide vehicles.
Secretary of the Navy John Phelan described the mission bluntness: "Reach out and kill the archers." The ship is designed to hunt land-based launchers and surface groups rather than simply escorting carriers, challenging the carrier-centric hierarchy of the last 80 years.
Industrial Strategy: "MASGA"
The "Make American Shipbuilding Great Again" (MASGA) strategy paradoxically relies on foreign industrial might. To bypass U.S. labor shortages, the administration has partnered with South Korean giant Hanwha Ocean.
Hanwha has acquired Philly Shipyard with a $5B modernization commitment. This "mutual hostage" economic integration allows the U.S. to import Korean robotics and efficiency while technically complying with the Jones Act.
The Nuclear Dimension
Perhaps the most controversial element is the return of the Nuclear-Armed Sea-Launched Cruise Missile (SLCM-N). This reverses the 1991 Presidential Nuclear Initiative that denuclearized the surface fleet. Proponents argue it fills a "deterrence gap" against tactical nuclear use by adversaries. Critics warn it creates a "discrimination problem"—enemies cannot distinguish between conventional and nuclear launches, increasing escalation risks.
Strategic Asset Comparison
| Feature | Trump-Class (BBG) | Iowa-Class (Vintage) | Zumwalt (DDG-1000) | Arleigh Burke (Flight III) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 40,000 tons | 58,000 tons | 15,000 tons | 9,700 tons |
| Primary Role | Counter-A2/AD | Shore Bombardment | Land Attack | Air Defense |
| Main Gun | Railgun (EMRG) | 16-inch / 50-cal | 155mm AGS (Defunct) | 5-inch / 62-cal |
| Nuclear Capable | YES (SLCM-N) | Removed 1991 | NO | NO |
Last updated Dec 23, 2025.