The US Navy is considering a complete overhaul of its fleets. Commander-in-Chief Donald Trump has a vision for a fleet of warships larger than the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile Aegis cruisers but smaller than World War II–vintage Iowa-class battleships. He envisions a new 15,000–20,000-ton warship featuring heavy composite armor and equipped with a greater number and variety of hypersonic missiles.

This new class of warship would dwarf the Aegis cruiser, which weighs around 9,600 tons. A fleet of such ships—10 to 20 by the 2030s—would complement the US Navy’s Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO) power projection maritime strategy.

### The “Golden Fleet” Concept

Consistent with Trump’s style, much like the “Golden Dome of America” anti-ballistic missile shield, this compilation of warships is dubbed the “Golden Fleet.” When the Pentagon develops new programs, the critical question is: “What problem are you trying to solve?”

According to The Wall Street Journal, “Senior White House and Navy officials are in early discussions to replace the current mix of warships with a new ‘Golden Fleet’ that would be better suited to counter China and other potential future threats, according to former and current officials.” The concept for establishing a maritime bulwark against China focuses on overwhelming the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and its command-and-control facilities with sheer mass of hypersonic missiles.

### Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO) Strategy

The US Navy formalized the DMO strategy in the mid-2010s and has refined it annually. The Congressional Research Service explains that the approach “demands distributing, integrating, and maneuvering people, platforms, munitions, and data across time, spectrum, and space.”

A warship of the Golden Fleet’s size could serve as the centerpiece of a Surface Action Group (SAG) with capabilities far surpassing those available today. Each Golden Fleet ship is expected to carry up to 300 hypersonic missiles, compared to the 96 and 122 missiles carried by the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and Aegis cruisers, respectively.

With a fleet of 30 Golden Fleet ships, the PLAN could face a barrage of 9,000 hypersonic missiles just from these super cruisers. This formidable capability would significantly boost the hypersonic missile firepower alongside existing US destroyers, Aegis cruisers, and Constellation-class frigates.

### Challenges Ahead: Shipbuilding Capacity and Timelines

If the plan is to field the Golden Fleet by the 2030s, the US faces a major challenge: the track record of building Navy vessels has been dismal. There will need to be significant changes in US shipyards to meet this ambitious deadline.

“Ambition aside, the Golden Fleet faces enormous logistical and financial hurdles. America’s shipyards are already stretched thin,” reported MoneyControl.com. “Bath Iron Works in Maine and Ingalls Shipbuilding in Mississippi are both operating at capacity, fulfilling commitments to the Columbia-class submarines and Ford-class carriers.”

Despite these challenges, this vision comes directly from President Donald Trump. His April 2025 executive order, *Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance*, provides billions in funding aimed at expanding shipyards and workforce training.

### Bringing US Shipbuilding Up to Speed

Experts estimate that boosting US shipbuilding to international levels will require an investment of $20–$30 billion annually. Beyond funding, modernizing shipyards with robotics, artificial intelligence, and modular construction techniques will be crucial.

Trade discussions with South Korea have also proposed $150 billion in joint ship construction at US shipyards, such as the Philadelphia Shipyard. Leveraging South Korea’s more efficient shipbuilding methods could accelerate timelines by two to three years. However, such arrangements would require waivers to US laws restricting foreign production and content on military vessels.

Meeting the timeline will be difficult, and some skeptics claim it’s impossible. However, in terms of US naval force projection designed to counter the PLAN, the Golden Fleet’s maritime strategy represents a potential game-changer.

And remember — it’s Donald Trump, the “builder president,” who is the program manager behind the Golden Fleet. No one should bet against him.

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*The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of other affiliates.*
https://www.libertynation.com/golden-fleet-us-navy-sea-power-of-the-future/