# Four upgrades that will decide the carrier race with China

> The Navy has proven tech to keep its edge, but White House hesitation on key systems could hand China an advantage.
- Title: Four upgrades that will decide the carrier race with China
- Summary: The Navy has proven tech to keep its edge, but White House hesitation on key systems could hand China an advantage. America's carriers need four proven…
- Keywords: us navy, aircraft carriers, china, uss abraham lincoln, uss gerald r ford, electromagnetic catapults, mq-25 stingray, f/a-xx, donald trump, pentagon, iran, middle east
- Source: Fox News — https://foxnews.com/opinion/four-upgrades-decide-americas-carriers-keep-edge-over-china
- Author: Rebecca Grant
- Published: 2026-09-15T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: us navy, aircraft carriers, china, uss abraham lincoln, uss gerald r ford, electromagnetic catapults, mq-25 stingray, f/a-xx, donald trump, pentagon, iran, middle east
## Carriers prove their worth
USS Abraham Lincoln shot down 200 Iranian drones and defended against direct attacks. Iran tried to target the carrier but couldn't get close.

> Since we've gotten here, and during Operation Epic Fury, the Iranians were looking for opportunities to attack this ship.
## Drones join the air wing
The MQ-25 Stingray refueling drone will orbit 1,000 miles from the carrier. Smaller combat drones with weapons will follow.
## Magnetic catapults work better
USS Gerald R Ford proved electromagnetic catapults with 12,200 launches. They recharge faster and generated 25% more sorties than steam in surge tests.
## Trump wants steam back
A White House memo ordered the Navy to consider returning to steam catapults. Ripping out proven systems would delay shipyards and leave fewer carriers to fight China.

> I think there's overwhelming support in Congress and in the Pentagon for moving forward with EMALS.
## Advanced elevators move faster
New weapons elevators lift 24,000 lbs instead of 12,000 and move 50% faster. The Navy's new Malice missile weighs 1,500 lbs and needs the capacity.
## A new stealth fighter waits
Boeing and Northrop Grumman have secret sixth-generation F/A-XX prototypes ready. The Pentagon is delaying while China has already flown two sixth-gen designs.
## China's fleet is growing fast
China has three carriers today and will have nine by 2035. The U.S. fleet will stay at 11, narrowing America's advantage.
## Key takeaway

America's carriers need four proven upgrades, drones, electromagnetic catapults, faster elevators, and a new fighter, to maintain their edge as China expands its fleet from three to nine carriers by 2035.