U.S. President Donald J. Trump has officially launched the “Golden Fleet” initiative, which aims to restore American naval power and domestic industrial capacity to the top on a global scale. In the historic announcement made on December 22, 2025, the concept of the Trump-class armored warship (Battleship/BBG), described as the flagship of this vision and the world’s most lethal surface warfare platform, was introduced. The first ship of the class, USS Defiant (BBG 1), will take its place at sea as history’s first nuclear-powered, hypersonic-missile-capable guided missile battleship.
What Is the Golden Fleet?
The Golden Fleet is a strategic investment program designed not only to build new ships for the U.S. Navy, but also to fundamentally modernize the American Maritime Industrial Base. This initiative was designed to accelerate production processes, localize the supply chain, and widen the technological gap against competitors. Within the scope of the program, DDG 51 destroyers and FF(X) frigates will continue to form the backbone of the fleet, while Trump-Class Battleships will serve at the highest tier of this structure as a “strategic punch” and primary command center.
Revolution in Hypersonic Range and Firepower
According to official data, the Trump class was designed to possess the capability to conduct long-range strikes at a level 80 to 100 times greater than previous ship classes. The most striking technical feature of the ship is its outfitting with Large Missile Vertical Launch Systems (LMVLS). Thanks to this system, USS Defiant will be able to carry out long-range hypersonic attacks against strategic targets beyond the reach of the current fleet. In addition, the directed-energy weapons to be installed on board will provide a cost-effective and high-performance defensive shield against UAV and missile threats.
Strategic Command and Control Node
With a hull structure approximately three times larger than that of Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, the Trump class will not only be an attack ship, but will also serve as the “brain” of the fleet. These battleships, capable of advanced command of both manned and unmanned platforms, are designed with the capacity to conduct independent operations, lead an Aircraft Carrier Strike Group, or command their own Surface Action Group (SAG).
Industry and Employment Focus
Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Daryl Caudle stated that this new class will offer unparalleled lethality to deter threats of the 2030s and beyond. The fact that the design and construction process will involve cooperation with more than 1,000 domestic suppliers across the United States demonstrates that the project is not only a military initiative, but also a massive economic move. With the Trump class, the U.S. Navy continues its determination to establish global peace “through strength” by carrying its 250-year legacy of maritime dominance into the hypersonic age.
Source: C4Defence / US Navy
