In a dramatic shift from their troubled past, the USS Zumwalt and its sister ship USS Michael Monsoor have been designated as the first American warships to be equipped with cutting-edge hypersonic missiles.

These weapons, defined by their speed exceeding five times the speed of sound, are notorious for their unpredictable flight paths, making them a daunting challenge for enemy defenses.

The Zumwalt, a cutting-edge stealth destroyer of its class, is set to undergo upgrades with Lockheed Martin hypersonic technology at the Huntington Ingalls Industries shipyard in Pascagoula.

According to the Navy, trials of the missiles are expected to commence in 2025. The incorporation of hypersonic technology signifies a significant shift in the operational capabilities of Zumwalt destroyers, which were initially engineered for launching more traditional missions.

The Zumwalt-class program, once envisioned as a fleet of 32 stealth destroyers, has weathered a storm of criticism due to cost overruns and operational setbacks, culminating in the production of only three units.

cInitially created to provide naval artillery support with the 155-mm Advanced Gun System (AGS), the destroyers fell short of expectations as the AGS proved incompatible with standard ammunition, leading to its removal.

The substantial investment in the Zumwalt-class, totaling around $22 billion, has not delivered the returns the U.S. Navy anticipated.

This repurposing of the Zumwalt and the USS Michael Monsoor for hypersonic missile deployment comes after the Navy awarded a $154.8 million contract to Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) for the upgrade.

According to Program Executive Officer (PEO) Ships Rear Admiral Tom Anderson, steps are underway to “integrate CPS [Conventional Prompt Strike] capability into USS Zumwalt,” indicating a drive to get this “important player on the field on time.”

Despite these efforts, the Zumwalt-class has been a source of contention.

Questions about the feasibility of the hypersonic upgrade persist as the U.S. Navy grapples with integrating the experimental Common Hypersonic Glide Bodies (C-HGB) into the destroyers’ weapons systems.

The contentious history of the Zumwalt-class is not unique within the U.S. Navy’s modernization struggles.

A parallel narrative unfolds with the Littoral Combat Ships (LCS), intended to be technological marvels, now deemed unviable in high-threat engagements.

This pattern of high investment and low return is a familiar story, echoing the systemic procurement challenges faced by the military-industrial complex.

As the USS Zumwalt undergoes its refit to accommodate hypersonic missiles, the Navy also prepares for the arrival of newer Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and the commissioning of Independence-class LCS, signaling an ongoing effort to modernize its fleet despite past obstacles.

Relevant articles:
– The Navy’s Zumwalt-Class Destroyer Nightmare Has Just Begun, The National Interest
– US Navy removes first 155mm AGS from USS Zumwalt at Ingalls Shipbuilding, Naval News
– The Inside Story of How the Navy Spent Billions on the “Little Crappy Ship”, ProPublica
– Destroyer USS Zumwalt to be outfitted with new hypersonic missiles, Stars and Stripes