The U.S. Navy is making strides toward deploying its first shipborne hypersonic weapon, marking a significant milestone for military capabilities.
Currently, workers at a shipyard in Mississippi are hard at work retrofitting the USS Zumwalt, transforming the costly destroyer laden with past operational setbacks. The Zumwalt's missile tubes are being installed to replace gun turrets from an untested and neglected system, which turned out to be too expensive to operate.
This overhaul began after the Zumwalt was brought to the Ingalls shipyard in August 2023. The vessel is expected to be undocked shortly, preparing for its return to service and the promising ability to launch hypersonic strikes from greater distances.
“It was a costly blunder,” said Bryan Clark, a defense analyst at the Hudson Institute. “But the Navy could take victory from the jaws of defeat here, and get some utility out of them by making them hypersonic platforms.”
Hypersonic weapons, like the ones being developed for the Zumwalt, fly at speeds exceeding Mach 5, which is over five times the speed of sound. This incredible velocity, when combined with agile maneuverability, makes them exceptionally difficult to intercept.
The urgency of these developments stems from the advancements made by global adversaries. Reports indicate both Russia and China have successfully tested similar weaponry, pushing the U.S. military to speed up its own hypersonic programs.
According to leaked documents cited by The Washington Post, one such weapon developed by China, called the DF-27, had been tested recently, underscoring the need for the U.S. to keep pace.
The United States is focusing on several hypersonic projects, one of which is the “Conventional Prompt Strike” program. This system is engineered to be launched like traditional ballistic missiles before deploying hypersonic glide vehicles at astonishing speeds—between seven to eight times the speed of sound—towards designated targets.
The Zumwalt-class destroyers are set to have four missile tubes, each capable of holding three hypersonic missiles, which translates to twelve of these advanced weapons per destroyer. This introduces formidable power to the U.S. Navy's operational arsenal.
While critics have labeled the Zumwalt as one of the military’s most significant financial missteps, the introduction of hypersonic technology aims to rectify its reputation. The class of ships, costing around $7.5 billion, was originally envisioned to deliver land-attack capabilities through Advanced Gun Systems. Tragically, those systems were scrapped, largely due to the exorbitant cost of the ammunition, with each round ranging between $800,000 and $1 million.
Nevertheless, the Zumwalt remains the most cutting-edge surface warship the Navy possesses, featuring groundbreaking innovations. These embrace electric propulsion, unique hull designs to minimize radar detection, automated weapon systems, and advanced damage control measures.
After arriving at the Huntington Ingalls shipyard, the Zumwalt was taken out of the water for the extensive integration of its new weapon system. Officials at the shipyard, including spokesperson Kimberly Aguillard, shared updates indicating the vessel is scheduled for undocking this week.
Recent successes have been seen with individual tests of U.S. hypersonic armaments, and development is racing along. The Navy aims to commence real-world tests aboard the Zumwalt around 2027 or 2028, pushing the envelope of naval capability.
Despite the advanced technologies showcased by hypersonic systems, there's considerable financial skepticism. The cost of programming, including acquisition and maintenance for 300 of these weapons over two decades, is projected to be close to $18 billion as noted by the Congressional Budget Office. Critics like Loren Thompson argue the return on investment might not justify the immense expenditure. “This missile costs more than a dozen tanks. All it gets you is a precise non-nuclear explosion, some place far away. Is it really worth the money?” he questioned, pointing out the staggering price tag compared to the potential gains.
Yet, supporters of hipersonic technologies argue these weapons provide unique capabilities, enabling U.S. naval vessels to strike from thousands of kilometers away, well beyond the reach of adversary defenses. Retired Navy Rear Admiral Ray Spicer emphasized the need for the U.S. to keep pace with its rivals. “The adversary has them. We never want to be outdone,” he asserted.
The U.S. military has identified hypersonics as pivotal to national security, owing to their survivability and lethality. James Weber, from the Department of Defense, underlined the priority of these technologies, which are aimed to strengthen America's international posture and provide significant tactical advantages.
Hypersonic weaponry is now deemed indispensable, with the arms race intensifying. The developments surrounding the USS Zumwalt signal not just military innovation but also the continual evolution of warfare strategies among global powers, facing off to secure their respective positions.
Looking forward, the completion of the Zumwalt's modifications heralds the dawn of new capabilities for the U.S. Navy, reaffirming its commitment to keeping the sea lanes safe and maintaining strategic dominance worldwide.
