USS Zumwalt to host first Shipborne hypersonic weapon, revamping a costly Naval Blunder

The U.S. Navy is turning a $7.5 billion misstep into a strategic advantage by retrofitting the USS Zumwalt, one of its most advanced destroyers, to carry hypersonic missiles. Currently docked at a Mississippi shipyard, the stealthy warship is being equipped with missile tubes to host the cutting-edge “Conventional Prompt Strike” hypersonic weapon system.

Hypersonic weapons, capable of traveling more than five times the speed of sound (Mach 5), offer unparalleled speed and maneuverability, making them exceptionally difficult to intercept. The U.S. Navy and Army are collaborating on the Conventional Prompt Strike system, which combines ballistic missile technology with a hypersonic glide vehicle capable of reaching targets thousands of kilometers away.

Each Zumwalt-class destroyer will be equipped with four missile tubes, housing a total of 12 hypersonic missiles. The Navy aims to begin testing the system aboard the Zumwalt by 2027 or 2028.

The Zumwalt, envisioned as a futuristic warship capable of providing advanced land-attack capabilities, faced criticism due to the cancellation of its Advanced Gun System. The system was scrapped when the cost of its rocket-assisted projectiles soared to nearly $1 million per round.

Despite its troubled history, the Zumwalt boasts cutting-edge innovations, including electric propulsion, stealth-enhancing angular design, and an unconventional wave-piercing hull. Now, the Navy is capitalizing on these features to transform the ship into a platform for hypersonic warfare.

“This was a costly blunder, but the Navy has a chance to salvage its investment by turning these ships into a hypersonic platform,” said Bryan Clark, a defense analyst with the Hudson Institute.

The urgency to develop and deploy hypersonic weapons has intensified as nations like China and Russia advance their capabilities. Leaked Pentagon documents recently confirmed China’s successful testing of the DF-27, an intermediate-range hypersonic weapon, further fueling concerns in Washington.

“There’s no effective defense against hypersonic missiles,” said retired Navy Rear Adm. Ray Spicer. “We cannot afford to fall behind in this critical area.”

Critics, however, argue that the cost of these weapons, estimated at $18 billion for 300 missiles over 20 years, outweighs their benefits. “Is it worth the money? Most of the time, the missile costs far more than the target you’re destroying,” said military analyst Loren Thompson.

Despite the high costs, the Department of Defense views hypersonic weapons as vital for maintaining U.S. military dominance. James Weber, principal director for hypersonics at the Pentagon, emphasized their role in enhancing national security.

“Fielding new capabilities based on hypersonic technologies is a priority for the defense department to sustain and strengthen our integrated deterrence and to build enduring advantages,” Weber said.

The Zumwalt is expected to be undocked this week as retrofitting continues, marking a pivotal step in the U.S. military’s efforts to deploy hypersonic weapons. This transformation symbolizes a broader strategy to ensure the Navy remains at the forefront of global naval power, leveraging technology to turn past mistakes into future advantages.