For years, the U.S. Navy’s Zumwalt-class destroyers were lauded for their gleaming, futuristic appearance but criticized for not having a visible mission. These three stealth warships—USS Zumwalt, USS Michael Monsoor, and USS Lyndon B. Johnson—were once viewed as overambitious experiments that could not begin to justify their expense. That perception is rapidly changing. With the addition of hypersonic missiles, the class is becoming one of the most capable surface strike forces ever deployed at sea.
Originally envisioned, the Zumwalt-class was to be a new generation of multi-mission destroyer with a heavy focus on land attack. The vessels featured a revolutionary tumblehome hull, composite superstructure, and stealth-oriented advanced sensor suite. Originally, they would be equipped with two enormous 155mm Advanced Gun Systems (AGS), but runaway ammunition prices resulted in the program’s cancellation—leaving the vessels weaponless and their future in doubt.
That doubt dissipated when the Navy agreed to install the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) hypersonic missile system. The conversion began with the removal of the forward AGS turret, a process that went much deeper than unbolting a gun. Shipyard workers had to gut layers of equipment down below, reinforce the bow, add new bulkheads, and prepare the area for four massive launch tubes.
Each 87-inch-diameter tube will be able to carry three hypersonic missiles inside an Advanced Payload Module. The USS Zumwalt was the first ship to receive this mechanism, and it left dry dock late in 2024 with its new weapon bays installed.
The CPS system—and the sister variant for other platforms, the Intermediate-Range Conventional Prompt Strike (IRCPS)—is a huge advancement in the field of missile technology. These are boost-glide weapons, meaning they’re propelled into the upper atmosphere at speeds beyond Mach 5 before gliding toward their targets while maneuvering unpredictably.
This blend of speed and agility makes them extremely hard to stop. As one program leader explained, pairing CPS with Zumwalt’s stealth and mobility gives the Navy a flexible, long-range strike option capable of deterring and, if necessary, neutralizing high-end threats.
Both the Navy and the Army are adopting the same glide vehicle and missile body in their respective programs. The Army is fielding it as a land-based Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), and the Navy is taking it to sea aboard Zumwalt-class destroyers and, eventually, Virginia-class submarines. They can all carry a maximum of 12 of these missiles, with the capability of striking targets over 1,000 nautical miles away—far beyond where conventional cruise missiles can reach. This level of range allows them to attack deep inland or within heavily defended maritime regions while still being outside enemy engagement envelopes.
The strategic benefits are difficult to exaggerate. Hypersonic missiles reduce enemy reaction time to just minutes, avoid advanced air defenses, and provide a precision strike before most targets have a chance to respond. For the Navy, this capacity makes the Zumwalt-class an unrivaled offensive platform, well-suited to attack high-value targets in contested areas where other surface ships would be too exposed.
The journey to this destination hasn’t been smooth. Initial missile tests identified technical problems that had to be addressed, and the intricate shipyard work necessitated meticulous scheduling. The Navy must juggle modernization with readiness for operations at times by deferring other upgrades scheduled. As a case in point, the CPS system installation on the USS Lyndon B. Johnson lengthened its integration time by two years. The USS Zumwalt is expected to lead the way with the first live-fire testing of the sea-launched variant, followed by her sister ships.
In spite of the challenges, the reward is evident. Hypersonic weapons have provided the Zumwalt-class with a second chance, making what was previously a short-hand design for limited use now a next-generation spearhead for naval warfare. The sizeable electrical power surpluses, stealth shaping, and flexible architecture of the ships allow them not only to carry CPS missiles but also other future-ready systems down the line.
As the Navy hones this capability further, the Zumwalt-class destroyers are ready to play a leading role in projecting power from the sea. With stealth, speed, precision, and survivability, they are ready to command the world’s most hostile waters—this time with a defined purpose and a crushing punch.