The US Navy’s futuristic Zumwalt-class guided-missile destroyer is nearing the completion of a $155-million upgrade, part of a broader effort to incorporate advanced hypersonic missile systems.
The project, which has been underway since August 2022 at the Pascagoula shipyard in Mississippi, represents a pivotal step in modernizing the service’s fleet to meet emerging threats.
According to a recent press release from HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding, the upgrade for the lead ship, USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000), features the replacement of the ship’s original twin 155mm Advanced Gun Systems with missile tubes that are intended for the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) weapon.
Each 87-inch tube is capable of holding three Common Hypersonic Glide Body (CHGB) missiles, weapons that can travel over 2,775 kilometers (1,724 miles) at speeds exceeding Mach 5.
These missiles employ a glide vehicle that detaches at high altitudes and dives unpredictably toward its target, making them nearly impossible to intercept, even by sophisticated missile defense systems.
The CPS weapon system shares similarities with the US Army’s Dark Eagle Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), utilizing the same rocket-boosted missile with adaptations for naval launch platforms.
These capabilities mark a new era in precision strike technology, equipping the Zumwalt-class with tools designed to outpace and outmaneuver adversaries.
According to Chris Kastner, President and CEO of HII, the company leading the upgrade, the project is a collaborative effort between the US Navy and its industry partners.
The US Navy’s futuristic Zumwalt-class guided-missile destroyer is nearing the completion of a $155-million upgrade, part of a broader effort to incorporate advanced hypersonic missile systems.
The project, which has been underway since August 2022 at the Pascagoula shipyard in Mississippi, represents a pivotal step in modernizing the service’s fleet to meet emerging threats.
According to a recent press release from HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding, the upgrade for the lead ship, USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000), features the replacement of the ship’s original twin 155mm Advanced Gun Systems with missile tubes that are intended for the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) weapon.
Each 87-inch tube is capable of holding three Common Hypersonic Glide Body (CHGB) missiles, weapons that can travel over 2,775 kilometers (1,724 miles) at speeds exceeding Mach 5.
These missiles employ a glide vehicle that detaches at high altitudes and dives unpredictably toward its target, making them nearly impossible to intercept, even by sophisticated missile defense systems.
The CPS weapon system shares similarities with the US Army’s Dark Eagle Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), utilizing the same rocket-boosted missile with adaptations for naval launch platforms.
These capabilities mark a new era in precision strike technology, equipping the Zumwalt-class with tools designed to outpace and outmaneuver adversaries.
According to Chris Kastner, President and CEO of HII, the company leading the upgrade, the project is a collaborative effort between the US Navy and its industry partners.
“We are steadfast in our commitment to complete this complex work that adds significant hypersonic capability to Zumwalt,” Kastner stated in the press release dated Friday, December 6.
The entire Zumwalt fleet of three ships is expected to receive the CPS upgrade by 2028, with the current destroyer set to be operational by 2025.
Zumwalt-Class: A Stealthy Powerhouse
Originally built for littoral combat, the Zumwalt-class destroyers boast cutting-edge features that position them as some of the most advanced warships in the world.
The vessels feature a stealthy tumblehome hull design, reducing radar, acoustic, and infrared signatures to enhance survivability.
The ship’s electric propulsion system generates 78 megawatts of power—enough to support next-generation technologies such as directed energy weapons and advanced radar systems.
The Zumwalt-class ships were initially envisioned as a fleet of 32 vessels but were reduced to three due to high costs, with each warship valued at $9 billion.
Despite this reduction, their capabilities remain unparalleled, with the capacity to carry a variety of missiles, including SM-2 Block IIIAZ and Tomahawk land-attack missiles.
Strategic Implications
The incorporation of hypersonic weapons into the Zumwalt-class destroyers reflects the Pentagon’s focus on addressing near-peer threats, particularly from nations like Russia and China.
These upgrades enhance the Navy’s ability to conduct precision strikes with unprecedented speed and reach, ensuring US forces maintain a technological edge in contested environments.
As testing approaches in the coming years, the Navy’s investment in hypersonic capability underscores its commitment to innovation and readiness for future challenges.
The Zumwalt-class destroyers, equipped with CPS weapons, will not only redefine naval warfare but also solidify their place as a cornerstone of US maritime dominance.
Navy Celebrates Keel Laying of USNS Thurgood Marshall
In other Navy news, General Dynamics’ National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) officially laid last Thursday, December 5, the keel for the service’s newest John Lewis-class fleet replenishment oiler, the USNS Thurgood Marshall (T-AO 211), in San Diego, California.
This milestone signifies the integration of modular components and the start of the ship’s construction.
Named after the first African American Supreme Court Justice, Thurgood Marshall, the vessel honors his legacy of civil rights and justice. His family, including granddaughters and a granddaughter-in-law, participated as sponsors during the keel-laying ceremony.
“Thurgood Marshall’s legacy is one of unwavering courage, intellectual brilliance, and an unyielding commitment to justice,” said Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, quoted from the NAVSEA press release. “His efforts helped to shape a more equitable society—and the future USNS Thurgood Marshall will carry that legacy forward.”
Once completed, the ship will support the Navy’s Military Sealift Command (MCS) by delivering fuel, dry cargo, and aviation capabilities to ships at sea.
The 746-foot-long (227 meters) vessel, equipped with advanced systems and weaponry, will have a top speed of 20 knots (23 miles/37 kilometers per hour) and an endurance of over 6,000 nautical miles (6,905 miles/11,112 kilometers).
It’s part of a growing fleet of John Lewis-class ships, with two other vessels currently under construction at NASSCO’s California facility.
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