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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The substantial investment in the Zumwalt-class, totaling around $22 billion, has not delivered the returns the U.S. Navy anticipated.
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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.
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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.”
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Despite these efforts, the Zumwalt-class has been a source of contention.
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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.
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The contentious history of the Zumwalt-class is not unique within the U.S. Navy’s modernization struggles.
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A parallel narrative unfolds with the Littoral Combat Ships (LCS), intended to be technological marvels, now deemed unviable in high-threat engagements.
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This pattern of high investment and low return is a familiar story, echoing the systemic procurement challenges faced by the military-industrial complex.
![San Diego, California, USA - March 17, 2023: Naval Base San Diego, principal home port of the Pacific Fleet. Showing Zumwalt-class destroyer ship.](https://gallery.trendydigests.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/1718112762-aea3.jpg)
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