The US Navy’s USS Zumwalt (DDG-1000), a trailblazer in naval warfare, has docked at the Ingalls Shipbuilding yard in Pascagoula, Mississippi, marking a significant leap forward in the United States’ strategic defense capabilities. This advanced stealth destroyer is set to become the first in the fleet to be equipped with formidable hypersonic missile technology, a game-changer that promises a radical enhancement of the Navy’s offensive prowess.
The upgrade process of the Zumwalt entails the installation of the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) weapon system, an initiative that aims to endow the destroyer with the capability to deliver a non-nuclear projectile over a striking distance of approximately 1,724 miles. This transformative weapon system consists of the Common Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB), shared with the US Army’s Long Range Hypersonic Weapon, featuring a two-stage booster and a sophisticated thermal protection system.
The Zumwalt, initially conceived as a littoral combat ship, has seen its mission evolve significantly. Initially, it was to support ground forces with precision-guided naval artillery shells. However, exorbitant costs and technical setbacks saw the ambitious program for 32 vessels slashed to a trio of ships, compelling the Navy to pivot towards the hypersonic upgrade. The Zumwalt, alongside its sister ships, the USS Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001) and the Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG-1002), are the beneficiaries of this redirected focus, with all three poised to receive the CPS systems.
Each Zumwalt-class destroyer will be retrofitted with four 87-inch missile tubes, capable of housing three C-HGB missiles each. This represents a formidable escalation in the ships’ combat capabilities, transitioning from littoral roles to blue-water dominance. The cutting-edge CPS system will enable the Zumwalt to carry out precise, long-range strikes at hypersonic speeds, beyond the reach of existing defense mechanisms.
The Pentagon’s commitment to this project is evidenced by the awarding of a $154.8 million contract, targeting a completion date of September 2025. The importance of the Zumwalt-class destroyers has been reaffirmed through this investment, setting the stage for field testing of the hypersonic missiles to commence in 2025. Nonetheless, concerns persist regarding the integration timeline of the C-HGB into the Zumwalt, with a potential delay highlighted by the Government Accountability Office.
While the USS Zumwalt prepares to redefine naval warfare with its hypersonic capabilities, Naval Base San Diego is also witnessing changes within its fleet composition. The commissioning of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Jack H. Lucas and the arrival of the Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Augusta are indicative of the dynamic evolution of naval assets. Meanwhile, the decommissioning of the Ticonderoga-class cruiser Lake Champlain represents the phasing out of older ship classes, making way for the more advanced and versatile destroyers.
Relevant articles:
– San Diego-based destroyer USS Zumwalt to be outfitted with new hypersonic missiles
– US Navy Begins Upgrading Zumwalt Destroyer With Hypersonic Weapons
– HII Awarded $155M Contract for USS Zumwalt Hypersonic Missile Upgrade, USNI News, Aug 29, 2023