The US Navy is embarking on a transformative project, turning what was once a costly failure into a cutting-edge weapon system. The USS Zumwalt, the first of the Navy’s three stealth destroyers, is being retrofitted with the first shipborne hypersonic weapon, replacing its original gun system with missile tubes. The ship, currently undergoing modifications at a Mississippi shipyard, is set to provide a platform for fast, precision strikes at unprecedented ranges, adding to its strategic value.
The Zumwalt-class destroyers, which cost approximately $7.5 billion, were originally designed to deliver land-attack capabilities using a sophisticated gun system. However, the system, which featured 155mm guns and rocket-assisted projectiles, was scrapped due to its exorbitant cost — each projectile priced between $800,000 and $1 million. This decision left the Zumwalt with a tarnished reputation, being viewed by some critics as an expensive mistake. But the Navy has found a new way to utilise the ship, turning it into a launch platform for hypersonic weapons, which could provide a far-reaching strategic advantage.
The new weapon system being installed aboard the Zumwalt is part of the US military’s ongoing hypersonic weapons development program. These weapons travel at speeds greater than Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound, and their ability to manoeuvre makes them difficult to intercept. The Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) system, which is being jointly developed by the US Navy and Army, will allow the Zumwalt to launch hypersonic glide vehicles that can travel at speeds up to seven to eight times the speed of sound, hitting targets at ranges previously unattainable.
The decision to equip the Zumwalt with hypersonic missiles comes as part of the US Navy’s effort to regain its footing in the race for hypersonic weaponry. Russia and China have made significant advancements in this field, with China’s DF-27 hypersonic missile, which was tested in 2023, putting additional pressure on the US to accelerate its development. The Pentagon has been working on hypersonic systems for two decades, but the need for effective deterrence has never been more urgent.
Each Zumwalt-class destroyer will be equipped with four missile tubes, capable of launching a total of 12 hypersonic weapons. The system is expected to begin testing aboard the Zumwalt by 2027 or 2028, with the aim of integrating the weapons into the fleet by the end of the decade. These weapons are crucial for providing naval vessels with the ability to strike targets from thousands of kilometres away, beyond the range of most conventional enemy weapons.
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Despite the high cost — estimated at $18 billion for 300 weapons over 20 years — supporters argue that hypersonic missiles are a vital strategic asset. While critics like Loren Thompson, a military analyst in Washington, D.C., question whether the immense cost is justified by the effectiveness of the missile system, others, including retired Navy Rear Adm. Ray Spicer, argue that the US must maintain a technological edge. With adversaries developing similar capabilities, the US cannot afford to be left behind.
James Weber, the principal director for hypersonics in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Critical Technologies, reinforced the strategic importance of hypersonic weapons. He emphasized that fielding hypersonic technologies is a priority for the US military, which aims to sustain its integrated deterrence capabilities and maintain technological superiority over its adversaries.
As the Zumwalt undergoes its transformation, the US Navy’s commitment to hypersonic weaponry signals a new era in naval warfare, one that will see increased range, precision, and lethality. While the Zumwalt may have been initially conceived as an expensive misstep, it now has the potential to become one of the most potent and advanced warships in the fleet, capable of striking targets with unmatched speed and precision.
