The Zumwalt-class destroyers have long been in the limelight for their cutting-edge looks and ambitious heights. But the last few years have seen them on an upgrade that would completely turn around the manner of modern-day naval warfare. The Navy’s decision to equip these ships with hypersonic missile technologies—ie, the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) and Intermediate-Range Conventional Prompt Strike (IRCPS)—is turning them into some of the most lethal surface warships on the oceans.
When first conceived, the Zumwalt-class was to be a multi-mission warship, with 155mm Advanced Gun Systems (AGS) for distant shore bombardment, along with stealth shaping and robust sensors. The problem arose when the precision-guided Long-Range Land Attack Projectiles (LRLAP) for those guns proved so costly that they made the principal armament all but useless. That gap provided room for a complete overhaul of the ship’s combat capability.
It began removing the forward AGS turret and all its deep-below-deck hardware in 2023. In its place, the engineers installed four huge vertical launch system (VLS) tubes—87 inches wide each. The tubes have triple-packed hypersonic missiles loaded inside Advanced Payload Module canisters, which will enable one ship to carry up to 12 of the very high-speed weapons.
The project was not simple; it entailed the installation of new bulkheads, supports, and specialty systems to handle the heat and stress of hypersonic launching. And why are hypersonic missiles such a big deal?
The weapons travel more than Mach 5 and possess the capability to change direction during flight, which renders them extremely difficult to detect and intercept. Standard Hypersonic Glide Body tests have also verified that the U.S. can conduct timely, accurate strikes on time-critical or highly defended targets from beyond 1,000 nautical miles.
That is, a Zumwalt would be able to engage targets outside most conventional enemy sensors’ range. This velocity and dexterity give them a humongous advantage. Enemy defense systems have less time to react, interception is now a game of chance, and critical targets can be hit before an opponent even realizes what’s coming for them. Unlike cruise or ballistic missiles that follow predictable flight paths, hypersonic missiles can change direction in mid-course, bypassing layers of defense systems.
The missile program is a joint Army-Navy effort, riding the same generic missile in an effort to save time and money. The Army’s Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon, or Dark Eagle, and the Navy’s CPS/IRCPS share the same missile, with each branch of the military testing and developing the system concurrently.
Navy brass have stated that this cooperation is key to getting these weapons in the field in a hurry and keeping the technological advantage in point.
Behind the deployment stand decades of science at such facilities as the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division. Their scientists have worked on everything from early hypervelocity gun concepts to today’s guidance systems and high-performance materials that can withstand extreme speeds. As their program managers explain, their work is simple—get the latest and best equipment out to sailors, and keep the Navy ahead in offense and defense.
Strategically, it’s a complete rebranding of the Zumwalt-class. When they were once viewed as an expensive experiment without a clear purpose, they’re now going to be the Navy’s premier long-range precision strike systems. With stealth, strong sensors, and hypersonic reach, they can threaten high-value targets deep in contested domains and improve U.S. deterrence in the most challenging operating environments.
As the Navy prepares for live-fire tests and eventual deployment of these new weapons aboard Zumwalt-class ships, it’s clear we’re looking at the start of a new chapter in naval warfare. The blend of advanced sensors, low observability, and unmatched strike speed ensures these destroyers will hold a place at the sharp edge of maritime power for years to come.