Zumwalt-class destroyers have been shrouded in mystery within the US Navy. Designed to be stealthy, versatile surface combatants laden with advanced technology, they practically had to rename naval warfare. Instead, the ships were known first and foremost by their sky-high costs, a fleet that was way less than originally planned, and the inability of the 155mm Advanced Gun System to deliver on its promise. The specialized ammo was so pricey that these vessels appeared from one point of view as high-tech wonders without any kind of prime mission.
Today, the Navy is revitalizing the Zumwalts. They are the first American surface ships that are planned to be converted into those capable of firing hypersonic missiles. This is not just an update, but a complete change in how surface combatants command power, stop dangers, and pull off hits in today’s naval combat.
Such a conversion would not happen just like that. The installation of the mighty gun systems on the prow is removed to facilitate the entry of four huge launchers. The size of each is 87 inches, and each tube can be loaded with Advanced Payload Module containers, which, in turn, house three Intermediate-Range Conventional Hypersonic Prompt Strike missiles. Twelve hypersonic weapons can be on just one Zumwalt once it is fully dynamic, which means that the single ship’s firepower has been dramatically increased.
These enhancements are not just about the creation of extra room. Deep structural changes are also being made in the ships, such as the strengthening of the bulkheads and the merging of the new fire control and combat systems that are able to cope with the unique demands of hypersonic strikes. There is a major technological leap in the missiles as well.
The projectiles are rocket-launched to speeds above Mach 5, after which they detach and continue gliding with sudden, unpredictable maneuvers towards their targets. The fact that the weapons are so fast and agile at the same time makes it very hard for the enemy to intercept them, which is why they are perfect for attacking high-value or time-sensitive targets, even if they are deep inside enemy land.
The thought is logical and strategic indeed. Hypersonic missiles provide the least amount of time from launch to impact and also prolong survivability against highly advanced defense systems. We live in a time when enemies develop long-range, highly sophisticated systems; hen, then, one of the most significant advantages is the ability to carry out fast, almost unstoppable attacks from stealthy ships. Zumwalt’s low radar profile, le coupled with her state-of-the-art communication equipment, enables her to infiltrate the contested areas and hit hard before the opponents get time to react.
All of that is well and good, but the challenges are still there. The Navy’s bold timetable for the hypersonic integration has undergone delays, and along with that is the testing process, which is still ongoing to ascertain that the weapons work well in real operational conditions.
Since there are only three ships in the class, and each one of them is loaded with specialized hardware and software leads to rather high costs and maintenance demands. There are attempts to make radar and combat systems standard across the fleet to ease the upkeep of the ship.
Nevertheless, progress is being made. Following a large renovation, USS Zumwalt came back to active service, and she is now outfitted with hypersonic launchers. USS Lyndon B. Johnson is getting created with hypersonic capabilities right from the start, and the next modernization phase will be the one where USS Michael Monsoor undergoes upgrades. The budget is set for the three ships to have hypersonic weapons within the next ten years.
One may say that it is the end of the story for the project to be blamed for not living up to its promise, and the Zumwalt-class may well be hinting at its own place, finally. These chic, futuristic vessels, essentially going from the cautionary tales to the most robust 21st-century naval power generation by shelving the traditional approach and exploiting the last strike, might well be how surface combatant limits are surpassed.
